FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Post-war Expulsions

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library legal opinions on the (a) Benes and (b) Polish expulsion decrees of 1945 that have been delivered to (i) his Department and (ii) Communities institutions.

Peter Hain: This question requires a detailed search of FCO records which may take some time. I shall write to the hon. Member when the appropriate research has been completed.

European Community Treaty

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he would list those occasions since 1 May 1997 where use has been made of Articles 308 and 95 TEC.

Peter Hain: Based on information from the European Commission's Eur-Lex database, since 1 May 1997 Article 308 of the Treaty on European Union has been used on 71 occasions and Article 95 on 82 occasions. I have placed copies of documents listing these occasions in the Library of the House.

Gibraltar

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what element of the Gibraltar economy Spain asked to be modified during the talks on 26 June on the future status of Gibraltar.

Peter Hain: None.

Gibraltar

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what issues will be discussed during the talks under the Brussels Process planned for 12 July in Madrid.

Peter Hain: No meeting took place on 12 July 2002.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Eric Joyce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the humanitarian impact of fighting between the RCD and dissident Banyamulenge forces on the Minembwe plateau in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Denis MacShane: The heavy fighting and resulting insecurity in the Haut Plateaux area has made it difficult to find reliable reports about the humanitarian situation there. However, the few reports we have received indicate that there has been some displacement of the local population, leading to fear of further humanitarian problems. We have raised our concerns about the situation with the Government of Rwanda, the United Nations Mission to the DRC and at the Security Council.

British Overseas Prisoners

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British prisoners have been incarcerated abroad for more than two years without trial, broken down by country.

Jack Straw: We are aware of six British nationals who have been detained overseas for two or more years without trial. All six are held in Spain. Spanish law states that a detainee must come to trial within two years, but this period can be extended to four years 'under exceptional circumstances'. All six detainees have legal representation and have been offered full consular assistance throughout their detention.

UK Peacekeeping Missions

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications for UK peacekeeping missions of a US withdrawal from peacekeeping forces.

Denis MacShane: On 30 June the US vetoed the UNSC resolution renewing the UNMIBH/SFOR mandate for Bosnia. The Council has decided to extend the UNMIBH mandate until 15 July, to allow for further efforts to resolve the issue. We continue to work for a solution which meets the concerns of all Security Council members.
	The US have reassured the Security Council and peacekeeping partners that it is not their intention to withdraw from peacekeeping operations in the Balkans.
	Outside the Balkan region, the US contribute 153 personnel to United Nations peacekeeping missions. Were they to decide to withdraw from these peacekeeping missions, the impact on the UK would be negligible.

Comprehensive Spending Review

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff have contributed to his Department's input to the Spending Review.

Denis MacShane: The Spending Review involves a comprehensive assessment of the Department's performance priorities and resource requirements and a range of staff make a contribution.

Public Service Agreements

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many and what proportion of the public service agreements of his Department set out in the document "Public Services for the Future, 1998" have been met; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: holding answer 10 July 2002
	Information relating to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Public Service Agreement targets can be found in the FCO's 2002 departmental report.

Rwanda

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Rwanda; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: There are some signs that, at an institutional level, the Government of Rwanda is willing to put in place initiatives which if correctly implemented could have a positive impact on the human rights situation in the country e.g. grass roots consultations, decentralisation and reconciliation processes. But there are also some worrying signs of a treat to some political and civil rights, particularly freedom of expression and association. We are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to raise issues of concern about human rights with the Government of Rwanda at the highest level.

Turkey

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Turkish Government regarding the European Union; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary periodically meets with senior members of the Turkish Government to review a range of issues. His last substantial discussion with the Turkish side about the EU was during a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Cem at the time of the EU/OIC forum held in Istanbul in February.

Future of Europe

Gisela Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the report made to the convention on the future of Europe on the outcome of the UK national debate on the future of Europe.

Peter Hain: The report submitted to the future of Europe convention outlines the public consultation activities in the UK on the future of Europe so far, and the main issues that have emerged. A copy is available in the Library. It is also on the websites of the FCO and the European convention (www.fco.gov.uk and http:// european-convention.eu.int/).

Indonesia

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to monitor the use of Hawk jets by the Indonesian air force.

Mike O'Brien: The FCO pays close attention to the use of Hawk jets in Indonesia and, through the British embassy in Jakarta, follow up any allegations of improper use with the Indonesian Government. To date, there has been no evidence of Hawk jets being used in counter-insurgency operations in either Aceh or Papua.

Indonesia

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if British-made Hawk jets have been deployed by the Indonesian air force in Aceh; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: Our Ambassador in Jakarta recently discussed the use of Hawk aircraft with the Indonesian Co-ordinating Minister for Security, Bambang Yudhoyono and the commander of the Indonesian air force. They confirmed that no fixed wing aircraft were being used by the air force in operations against GAM in Aceh. Bambang Yudhoyono also reconfirmed Indonesian Government policy that no British military equipment would be used in counter-insurgency operations in Indonesia.

Zimbabwe

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visa applications to travel to the UK have been refused by the British High Commission in Zimbabwe in the last six months for which figures are available.

Mike O'Brien: The statistical data on the number of applications refused each month in the last six months for which figures are available are as follows:
	November 2001—44
	December 2001—49
	January 2002—58
	February 2002—49
	March 2002—37
	April 2002—49.

Overseas Security Services

Robert Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what privileges and immunities are enjoyed by members of the security services of other countries operating in the UK.

Jack Straw: No privileges and immunities are enjoyed by members of the security services of other countries operating in the UK unless they hold them by virtue of their status as diplomats.

Drug Enforcement Training (Iran)

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review the type and level of hardware and training support given to Iranian law enforcers tackling drug smuggling on the Iran/Afghanistan border.

Denis MacShane: Iran is very successful in disrupting the drugs trade: it accounted for 85 per cent. of the world's opium seizures and 47 per cent. of the world's heroin seizures in 1999. Iran is the largest recipient of UK anti-drugs assistance: around £3.5 million since 1998, including £650,000 announced by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary during his visit there last September. Much of it is spent on training and equipment for law enforcement which bears the brunt of the fight with the drugs trade; over 3,000 law enforcement officers have been killed in clashes with armed traffickers in the past 20 years.
	We continually review the type of equipment and training we give to those engaged in tackling the drugs trade including Iranian law enforcers operating on the Afghan-Iranian border.

Departmental Statements

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance his Department provides to its personnel regarding statements made in the public press.

Jack Straw: FCO officials who deal with the press are governed by the Civil Service Code and are guided by Cabinet Office advice to Government information and communication officers (Guidance on the Work of the Government Information Service), both of which can be found on the Cabinet Office website (www.cabinet- office.gov.uk). UK Heads of Mission abroad are encouraged to develop good relations with local media as part of the UK's public diplomacy strategy and to use their discretion as to media appearances.

Trinidad and Tobago

Clive Soley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the constitutional position within Trinidad and Tobago.

Mike O'Brien: A general election was held in Trinidad and Tobago in December 2001. The result was an unprecedented tie of 18 seats each to the ruling United National Congress Party (UNC) and the People's National Movement (PNM). President Robinson appointed Patrick Manning, leader of the opposition PNM, as the new Prime Minister. We understand that this decision, once taken by the President, cannot be challenged.
	Parliament has to be called within six months of a new Administration being sworn in to elect a speaker. PM Manning called Parliament on Friday, 5 April 2002. They failed to elect a speaker and Parliament was prorogued. Under the constitution, elections have to be called if Parliament has not reconvened within six months of its last sitting. This is an internal matter for the President and Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

PRIVY COUNCIL

Public Consultations

John Bercow: To ask the President of the Council if he will list the public consultations undertaken by his Department since 8 June 2001, indicating the (a) length and (b) number of responses received in each case.

Robin Cook: There have been no public consultations undertaken by my Department since 8 June 2001.

Comprehensive Spending Review

John Bercow: To ask the President of the Council how many staff have contributed to his Department's input to the Spending Review.

Robin Cook: Three members of staff made a significant contribution to my Department's input to the Spending Review.

TRANSPORT

Public Transport (Safety)

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people have been injured on (a) buses and (b) trains in each of the last five years through being unseated by (i) sudden braking and (ii) fast cornering.

John Spellar: holding answer 1 July 2002
	Information on the number of people injured through being unseated in buses and trains through (i) sudden braking and (ii) fast cornering is not available.
	The numbers of bus and coach passengers who were injured while (a) seated and (b) standing when the vehicle was either stopping or turning left or right are given in the table.
	
		Number of bus and coach passengers who were seated when injured in a road accident
		
			   Bus/coach manoeuvre  
			 Accident year Stopping Turning left or right 
		
		
			 1997 610 423 
			 1998 674 441 
			 1999 689 524 
			 2000 670 493 
			 2001(1) 663 415 
		
	
	(1) Figures for 2001 are provisional
	
		Number of bus and coach passengers who were standing when injured in a road accident
		
			   Bus/coach manoeuvre  
			 Accident year Stopping Turning left or right 
		
		
			 1997 552 85 
			 1998 523 82 
			 1999 516 91 
			 2000 518 122 
			 2001(2) 499 89 
		
	
	(2) Figures for 2001 are provisional

West Coast Main Line

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the projected costs are of upgrading the West Coast main line to allow trains to run at 140 mph.

David Jamieson: The SRA is carrying out a strategic review of the West Coast project. The precise costs of the project will not be known until the final outputs have been determined.

Devolution

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the EU Restricted Committee of the Safety and Health Commission for the Mining and other Extractive Industries is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The restricted committee of the Safety and Health Commission for the Mining and other Extractive Industries is due to meet next on 11 December 2002.
	Officials from the Health and Safety Executive, which is sponsored by my Department, represent the UK on the Committee as policy responsibility for health and safety is a reserved matter. However, officials consult the Scottish Executive on agenda items in which it might have an interest in accordance with our Concordat with the devolved Administrations.

Road and Bridge Maintenance

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library copies of (a) guidelines and regulations and (b) statutory requirements issued and published within the last two years with regard to improving the co-ordination of road and bridge maintenance in urban areas.

David Jamieson: The Highways Act 1980 places a duty on local authorities to maintain highways, but this does not extend to the co-ordination of road and bridge maintenance.
	In DfT's guidance on the Local Transport Plan Annual Progress reports for 2002–03, local authorities are encouraged to adopt an integrated highway maintenance policy and to ensure that this policy contributes towards delivering the vision for towns and cities contained in the Urban White Paper.
	The Code of Practice for Maintenance Management "Delivering Best Value in Highway Maintenance", published in July 2001, is an advisory code for local authorities and contains guidance on integrated highway network management.
	Copies of these publications are being placed in the Libraries of the House.

Road and Bridge Maintenance

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made as to the quality of road and bridge maintenance in urban areas over the last two years.

David Jamieson: In July 2000 all local highway authorities in England produced local transport plans (LTPs), which set out the condition of their roads and bridges, as well as work planned over a five-year period (2001–6). These documents were examined by the then DETR, in order to calculate authorities' funding requirements for road and bridge maintenance, over the five-year period.
	Last year, all highways authorities submitted annual progress reports (APRs), which included any supplementary road and bridge maintenance funding requirements, as well as progress made in this area since the previous year.

Road and Bridge Maintenance

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made as to the disruption to traffic caused by road and bridge maintenance in London in (i) 1998 and (ii) 1999.

David Jamieson: During the period in question, my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions, through the Highways Agency, was highway authority for trunk roads in London. It was then—and still is—the Highways Agency's practice to assess the likely traffic impacts of maintenance projects before they start and plan them so as to minimise disruption. In 1998 and 1999, the planning of highway maintenance on other roads in London was the responsibility of the relevant authority.

Comprehensive Spending Review

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff have contributed to his Department's input to the Spending Review.

David Jamieson: A range of staff make a contribution to the Spending Review process.

Significant Accidents

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how he defines a significant accident in the context of MAIB investigations.

David Jamieson: The Secretary of State for Transport is guided by the criteria laid down in the Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 1999. These define "accidents" but do not categorise them in degrees of severity. There is no definition of "significant" accident.

Urban Bus Challenge

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 1 July 2002, Official Report, column 104W, on the Urban Bus Challenge Fund, if he will list the wards served by the projects which were given awards as part of the Urban Bus Challenge.

David Jamieson: Over 120 wards will benefit from projects to be supported following success in last year's Urban Bus Challenge competition. The information on wards served contained in the bids submitted is as shown in the table. In some cases, as indicated, the area to be served is not specified in terms of ward boundaries.
	
		
			 Authority Title of bid approved Wards specified 
		
		
			 Blackpool Lifestyle line Park, Clifton. 
			
			 Bristol Lawrence Weston Transport Group Kingsweston. 
			
			 Essex Harlow Community Transport dial a ride n/a 
			
			 Greater Manchester Wythenshawe demand response service Baguley, Benchill, Brooklands, Sharston, Woodhouse Park. 
			  Call centre n/a 
			  Oldham bus service Werneth, Hollinwood. 
			
			 Halton Daresbury Park bus service n/a 
			  Accessible Transport n/a 
			
			 Hampshire Leigh Park Links Warren Park. 
			
			 Hartlepool Improved transport and infrastructure St. Hilda, Brus, Hart, Dyke House, Stranton, Rosmere, Jackson Brinkburn, Rift House, Seaton. 
			
			 Lancashire Skelmersdale demand responsive transit Tanhouse, Digmorr, Moorside. 
			
			 Leicester Community service for Braunstone Braunstone North. 
			
			 Merseyside Atlantic Gateway demand response service; Huyton/Prescot demand response service; Kirby/Gillmoss demand response service Cantril Farm, Cherryfield, Halewood East, Halewood South, Halewood West, Kirkby Central, Kirkby Park, Knowsley Park, Longview, Northwood, Prescot East, Prescot West, Princess, Roby, St. Gabriels, St. Michaels, Tower Hill, Whiston North, Whiston South, Allerton, Anfield, Arundel, Breckfield, Childwall, Church (Liverpool), Clubmoor, County, Croxteth, Dovecot, Everton, Gillmoss, Granby, Kensington, Melrose, Netherley, Picton, Pirrie, Smithdown, Speke, St. Mary's, Tuebrook, Valley, Vauxhall, Warbreck, Church (Sefton), Derby, Ford, Linacre, Litherland, Netherton, Orrell, St. Oswald, Rainhill. 
			
			 Norfolk (Joint proposal with Suffolk) Lowestoft corridor bus n/a 
			
			 Northumberland Connecting Blyth Cowpen, Plessey, Kitty Brewster, Croft. 
			
			 Nottinghamshire Mansfield access to employment Forest Town, Lindhurst, Oak Tree, Ravenscroft. 
			
			 Plymouth East/West corridor link City Centre, Cattedown, Hoe. 
			
			 South Yorkshire Parson Cross community bus service Southey Green, Owlerton, Nethershire. 
			
			 Stoke on Trent Health demand response Burslem Central, Burslem Grange, Turnstall North. 
			
			 Telford and Wrekin Integrated Taxi Network n/a 
			
			 Thurrock Demand response service Tilbury Riverside, Tilbury St. Chads, Grays Riverside, Grays Thurrock, Ockendon, Corringham West, Corringham and Fobbing, Belhus, West Thurrock, Chafford Hundred, Stanford-le-Hope East, Stanford-le-Hope West, Little Thurrock Blackshots, Little Thurrock Rectory. 
			
			 Transport for London Improved access for staff, patients and visitors to Hammersmith, Queens Charlotte and Charing Cross Hospitals North Fulham, White City and Shepherds Bush. 
			
			 Tyne and Wear West Newcastle better access to employment opportunities Elswick, Newburn, Blakelaw. 
			
			 Warwickshire Camp Hill provision to employment opportunities Camp Hill. 
			
			 West Midlands Birchfield provision of community bus Aston. 
			  Community transport for prison visitors n/a 
			  Dudley, provision of school mini bus service Castle and Priory, St. Thomas's, Netherton and Woodside. 
			
			 West Yorkshire East Leeds access to employment opportunities Richmond Hill, Hunslet, Seacroft, Whinmoor. 
			  Leeds Buddying scheme n/a 
			
			 Worcestershire High frequency cross-city bus service and demand responsive orbital minibus n/a

Bus Services, London

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average frequency of buses in London during (a) peak, (b) off-peak and (c) night bus services was in (i) 1998 and (ii) 1999.

David Jamieson: Bus services in London are now the responsibility of the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL). I understand from TfL that the information regarding average service frequency is not available in the form requested.

Car Tax

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people whose cars were untaxed had enforcement action taken against them in each of the last five years.

David Jamieson: The table details the number of vehicle excise duty evaders against whom enforcement has been taken in each of the last five years. The table breaks down the enforcement action into three categories—those who have settled out of court, those who have been prosecuted, and those who have been encouraged to relicense as a result of enforcement action.
	
		
			 Year Out of court settlements Prosecutions Voluntary relicensing Totals 
		
		
			 1997–98 268,163 233,036 110,074 611,273 
			 1998–99 218,786 256,332 125,952 601,070 
			 1999–2000 209,678 239,291 163,822 612,791 
			 2000–01 303,665 226,643 169,542 699,850 
			 2001–02 392,416 249,545 157,844 799,805

Search and Rescue Helicopter, Portland

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what risk assessment has been made regarding the safety of sub-aqua divers from Portland and Weymouth should the search and rescue helicopter at Portland be moved to Lee-on-Solent.

David Jamieson: The Maritime and Coastguard agency has carried out an operational risk assessment with regard to the possibility of moving the Coastguard helicopter based at Portland to Lee-on-Solent.
	This analysis has demonstrated that the national criteria for response to all incidents, including sub-aqua divers, would still be met for the very high, high and medium risk areas within the Portland and Weymouth area. However, no decisions have been made about the future location of the helicopter.

Vehicle Registration (Data Access)

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes have been recently made to restrictions on public access to the personal details of the registered owner of a vehicle; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: No recent changes have been introduced. The vehicle register remains a semi-open record.
	The law allows keeper details to be made available to the police, to local authorities, for enforcement activities and to anyone who can demonstrate 'reasonable cause' for their request. All 'reasonable cause' applications must be in writing and be supported by witness details, police crime numbers, insurance claim details and repair bills.

Road Safety

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which local authorities have carried out child road safety audits as part of their road safety plans; and what measures have been taken to implement them.

David Jamieson: We do not have information from local authorities categorically stating that they conduct child safety audits. However, it is unlikely that many do not conduct the principles of audit. At its simplest, it means that local authorities should know where their child casualties are occurring, take measures to address the problem and monitor the results. Authorities are required to set local casualty reduction targets which should reflect the national targets. How they meet those targets are for local determination and the precise measures employed will depend upon local circumstances.

M11

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans exist for a relief road between the A1055 and the M11 extension near Leyton; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: holding answer 11 July 2002
	There is a proposal for such a scheme, the Lower Lea Valley Spine Road. This is the London borough of Newham's responsibility, not the Government's. Further information may be obtained from:
	John Henman
	Head of Environmental Engineering Services
	The Environment Department
	London Borough of Newham Council
	25 Nelson Street
	East Ham
	London E6 6EH.

Strategic Rail Authority

James Purnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Strategic Rail Authority will announce the preferred bidder for the Trans-Pennine Express franchise.

David Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority has received Best and Final Offers from the three short-listed counterparties: Arriva, Connex, and the FirstGroup/Keolis consortium. The authority is evaluating those proposals and will make an announcement in due course.

Strategic Rail Authority

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the accounting subsidiaries of the SRA.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) on 2 July 2002, Official Report, column 214W.

Strategic Rail Authority

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date the SRA first made a payment to Network Rail as a legal entity.

David Jamieson: No payments have been made so far by the SRA to Network Rail.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Maritime and Coastguard Agency will offer a contract for a satellite tracking system to monitor oil spills; and if the contract will include night-time flying.

David Jamieson: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has concluded a trial on the potential for the use of satellite tracking systems to monitor oil spills and is currently evaluating the results. The MCA is also liaising with the Department for Trade and Industry on the best way forward for future satellite surveillance for the detection of marine oil spills in UK waters.
	To improve detection of oil spills during hours of darkness, the MCA has recently ordered increased night-time flying of its contracted aerial surveillance aircraft.

Consultations

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people (a) were invited to respond and (b) responded to his consultation on (i) joint consultation with DTI and DEFRA, (ii) road traffic and (iii) electromagnetic compatibility.

David Jamieson: As well as the individually directed invitations to comment that are counted in the table, full consultation papers were available on the Department's website and supplied to enquirers on request.
	
		
			  Consultation (a) Organisations and interested parties consulted  (b) Responses 
		
		
			 (i) Joint DTLR, DTI, DEFRA and Treasury consultation on the draft Powering Future Vehicles Strategy 157 77 
			 (ii) Road traffic consultation concerning the draft Road Traffic (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2002 251 59 
			 (iii) Electromagnetic compatibility consultation 274 107

Software

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is towards using open source software; and what percentage is used in his Department.

David Jamieson: The Department for Transport sets out the specific business requirements that software is required to meet. Suppliers are free to propose open source software to meet these requirements.
	The Department's use of open source software will follow the Government's policy when published, currently planned for summer 2002. The draft policy may be viewed at http:// www.govtalk.gov.uk/rfc/rfc_document.asp?docnum=429.
	At present, less than 1 per cent. of departmental software is open source.

School Transport

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list (a) the allocation of funding and (b) the number of schemes under Safe Routes to Schools by LEA.

David Jamieson: Aside from major local transport schemes (ie those with a gross cost exceeding £5 million) capital funding to local authorities for road maintenance and smaller scale integrated transport measures such as safe routes to school are provided in the form of a single block allocation. It is for the authorities to decide upon the use of such funds in line with the priorities and objectives established in their plans.
	We therefore do not allocate funding for specific safe routes to school projects. However, the table shows the information provided within the local transport plan Annual Progress Reports submitted in August 2001 by those English authorities outside London who estimated the number of schools implementing their first safe route scheme, established wholly or partly using local transport plan capital funding.
	
		
			 Authority 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			 Bath and NE Somerset 4 6 6 6 6 
			 Barnsley 4 3 2 3 3 
			 Bedfordshire 3 4 5 5 5 
			 Birmingham 31 15 16 15 15 
			  
			 Blackburn 4 2 2 2 2 
			 Blackpool 2 2 2 2 2 
			 Bolton 3 2 3 3 3 
			 Bournemouth 2 2 2 2 2 
			 Bracknell 7 7 6 5 2 
			 Bradford 30 6 8 8 8 
			 Brighton 1 2 3 3 2 
			 Bristol 8 8 8 9 10 
			 Buckinghamshire 9 11 10 10 10 
			 Calderdale 6 6 6 6 6 
			 Cambridgeshire 14 13 10 10 10 
			 Cheshire 15 20 30 30 30 
			 Cornwall 8 8 10 10 10 
			 Coventry 11 11 11 11 11 
			 Darlington 4 2 2 2 2 
			 Derby 4 5 5 5 5 
			 Derbyshire 0 4 3 2 2 
			 Devon 5 9 9 8 8 
			 Doncaster 2 2 2 2 2 
			 Dorset 6 6 6 5 6 
			 Dudley 3 3 3 3 3 
			 Durham 15 15 20 20 20 
			 East Sussex 2 2 2 2 2 
			 East Riding 0 2 2 3 3 
			 Essex 58 40 40 40 40 
			 Gateshead 12 12 12 12 12 
			 Gloucestershire 4 4 2 2 2 
			 Halton 2 2 2 2 2 
			 Hampshire 12 9 8 6 5 
			 Hartlepool 5 5 5 6 6 
			 Herefordshire 4 4 4 4 4 
			 Isle of Wight 6 7 8 9 10 
			 Kent 3 3 3 3 3 
			 Kingston upon Hull 9 10 10 10 10 
			 Kirklees 0 2 2 4 6 
			 Knowsley 6 12 18 24 30 
			 Lancashire 5 15 20 20 20 
			 Leeds 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Leicester 11 4 4 4 5 
			 Leicestershire 29 28 27 27 30 
			 Lincolnshire 2 2 2 3 2 
			 Liverpool 3 3 3 3 3 
			 Luton 7 6 6 6 6 
			 Manchester 20 20 20 20 20 
			 Medway 2 2 2 4 4 
			 Middlesbrough 2 4 3 3 3 
			 Milton Keynes 6 10 10 10 10 
			 North East Lincolnshire 1 2 3 1 1 
			 North Lincolnshire 2 2 2 2 5 
			 North Somerset 3 6 6 6 6 
			 North Tyneside 14 10 10 10 10 
			 Newcastle 10 10 10 14 14 
			 Norfolk 10 10 10 6 6 
			 Northamptonshire 16 21 21 21 21 
			 Northumberland 7 10 10 10 10 
			 Nottingham 8 10 10 10 10 
			 Nottinghamshire 6 19 20 21 21 
			 Oldham 16 0 0 0 0 
			
			 Oxfordshire 19 29 0 0 0 
			 Peterborough 4 3 3 3 3 
			 Plymouth 4 4 4 4 4 
			 Poole 4 4 4 0 0 
			 Portsmouth 2 2 2 2 2 
			 Reading 4 5 5 5 5 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 2 4 4 4 4 
			 Rochdale 4 2 2 1 1 
			 Rutland 7 4 5 5 0 
			 South Gloucestershire 4 5 7 10 15 
			 South Tyneside 9 7 6 6 6 
			 Salford — 1 1 2 2 
			 Sandwell 6 6 6 7 7 
			 Sefton 7 4 4 4 4 
			 Sheffield 6 0 0 0 0 
			 Shropshire 12 14 14 17 12 
			 Slough 2 4 5 5 6 
			 Solihull 3 2 4 5 5 
			 Somerset 8 0 0 0 0 
			 Southampton 2 9 5 5 5 
			 Southend 6 6 6 6 6 
			 St. Helens 3 4 4 4 4 
			 Staffordshire 4 4 4 4 4 
			 Stockton on Tees 1 2 2 2 2 
			 Stoke on Trent 12 8 8 8 8 
			 Suffolk 13 13 13 13 13 
			 Sunderland 9 5 5 5 5 
			 Surrey 12 19 28 35 37 
			 Swindon 12 5 5 5 5 
			 Tameside 2 2 2 2 2 
			 Telford and Wrekin 3 4 4 4 4 
			 Thurrock 10 5 5 5 5 
			 Torbay 4 4 4 4 4 
			 Trafford 20 10 10 10 10 
			 West Sussex 21 13 17 23 17 
			 Wakefield 10 10 10 10 10 
			 Warrington 3 4 4 5 5 
			 Warwickshire 19 20 20 20 20 
			 Wiltshire 19 20 12 12 12 
			 Wirral 10 10 10 10 10 
			 Wokingham 8 15 15 10 10 
			 Wolverhampton 3 3 3 3 3 
			 Worcestershire 30 60 60 60 60 
			 York 10 10 10 10 10 
		
	
	Source:
	LTP Annual Progress Reports 2001

School Transport

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will make it a requirement that transport for schoolchildren and pre-school children should be fitted with seat belts.

David Jamieson: All minibuses and coaches used specifically for school transport have since 1998 been required to be fitted with seat belts. This requirement would also apply to pre-school transport for children over three.
	In addition, all new cars and buses (apart from buses designed for urban use and standing passengers) are now required to be fitted with seat belts.

Rural Bus Services

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 8 July 2002, Official Report, column 667W, how much has been (a) made available and (b) spent through the rural bus subsidy grant in each of the last five years, broken down by region; and if he will provide a regional breakdown of those services established through the rural bus subsidy grant scheme.

David Jamieson: holding answer 12 July 2002
	The first table shows the annual amounts of rural bus subsidy grant allocated for local authorities in each region. It also shows by region the amount of grant paid to authorities in each year which was dependent on their estimates of annual expenditure taking account of any grant unspent from a previous year. In 1998–99, the first year of this scheme, grant not required was reallocated and added to the amount distributed to schemes successful in that year's Rural Bus Challenge competition.
	
		£ million 
		
			 Region 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 South East  
			 Allocation 6.18 6.18 6.18 7.89 9.03 
			 Paid 4.55 6.14 6.04 7.77 NA 
			   
			 South West  
			 Allocation 6.36 6.36 6.36 8.12 9.29 
			 Paid 6.19 6.35 6.46 7.83 NA 
			   
			 East  
			 Allocation 5.61 5.61 5.61 7.16 8.20 
			 Paid 4.00 5.59 5.31 7.01 NA 
			   
			 West Midlands  
			 Allocation 3.40 3.40 3.40 4.34 4.97 
			 Paid 2.16 3.33 3.32 4.12 NA 
			   
			 East Midlands  
			 Allocation 4.09 4.09 4.09 5.22 5.98 
			 Paid 3.02 4.04 3.84 5.21 NA 
			   
			 North West  
			 Allocation 2.65 2.65 2.65 3.38 3.87 
			 Paid 1.97 2.55 2.58 3.22 NA 
			   
			  Yorkshire and Humberside
			 Allocation 2.88 2.88 2.88 3.68 4.21 
			 Paid 1.17 2.88 2.86 3.59 NA 
			   
			 North East  
			 Allocation 1.33 1.33 1.33 1.70 1.94 
			 Paid 1.07 1.12 1.29 1.65 NA 
		
	
	The second table shows the regional totals of new or improved services being supported by the grant in 2000–01, including those started in previous years. This has been compiled from local authority returns. Data are still being collected on 2001–02.
	
		
			 Regions Services 
		
		
			 South East 233 
			 South West 389 
			 East 147 
			 West Midlands 259 
			 East Midlands 242 
			 North West 168 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 183 
			 North East 111

Transport for London

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's grant has been to Transport for London each year for the last four years.

David Jamieson: Transport for London was created in July 2000.
	In the nine months between July 2000 and March 2001, grant paid to the GLA for the purposes of Transport for London was £297,811,000. For the 2001–02 financial year, this grant was £720,053,000. For 2002–03, grant has been determined at £1,023,018,000.

Network Rail

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 10 July 2002, Official Report, column 984W, on what basis the details of the notification to the European Commission are confidential.

David Jamieson: Details of the notifications of potential state aid are confidential between the Commission and the member state. But once the Commission has reached a decision, it issues a letter and this is published on the Commission's web page, though the member state to whom the letter is addressed can request that any commercially sensitive information is removed from the letter before publication.

Network Rail

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 10 July 2002, Official Report, column 984W, what is the total amount of public sector grant to Network Rail which will be securitised; and what funding guarantees will be required to secure such a securitisation.

David Jamieson: This will be a matter for Network Rail to take a judgment upon based on future discussions with potential lenders.

US-UK Air Services

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to discuss the agreement of a liberalised US-UK air services agreement with the United States; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Government are keen to liberalise the UK-US air services agreement to provide increased competition on fair terms and improved access by UK airlines to the world's largest market. All the options open to the Government are being reviewed before a decision on the best way forward is taken.

Singapore Airlines

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what decision he has made on an open skies agreement with Singapore to enable Singapore Airlines to commence services between London Heathrow and the US.

David Jamieson: The Government's overall objective in negotiating air service agreements is to negotiate fully liberal agreements where possible. Singapore is one of a number of countries with which the Government intend to discuss the possibility of full liberalisation. The aim of such discussions would not be restricted to enabling a particular airline to operate to a particular destination, but would be to provide benefits to the consumers, airlines and economies of both countries.

Light Dues

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received on the subject of light dues; what the nature of those representations were; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: We have received representations on light dues from the maritime industry in response to our Consultation Paper entitled 'Light Dues Review: Meeting the Costs of Marine Aids to Navigation' published on 10 May. The Independent Light Dues Forum and Maersk Sealand have, in addition to their formal response, written separately on the scope and format of the Consultation Document.
	We will review the representations received following the end of the consultation period on 31 July.

Fire Service

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the Chief Executive of the Fire College Moreton-in-Marsh was suspended; when he will tell him what specific allegations he faces; and what guidance has been given to the acting Chief Executive as to how long his services will be required.

Christopher Leslie: I have been asked to reply.
	Staffing and disciplinary matters are handled within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in accordance with the appropriate Staff Handbook. Within that framework personnel matters relating to individuals are a confidential matter between them and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

DEFENCE

Defence Estates

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the property disposal programme of Defence Estates.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence disposal programme is driven by the operational requirements of the armed forces. We keep the estate under regular review to ensure that it is no larger than is required for operational purposes. The principles under which we manage the estate are set out in our Estate Strategy published in 2000.
	Land and property is regularly released for disposal, usually on the open market. At present, some 3,000 hectares of land, covering more than 70 sites across the United Kingdom are either in disposal or will come forward for disposal in the next 12 months. Further rationalisation and consolidation of the estate is likely to lead to additional sites and properties becoming surplus.

Infantry Manning Levels

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on manning levels in the infantry.

Adam Ingram: The number of trained infantry in the Army has been increasing gradually and the current strength (as at 1 June 2002) of 25,526 is at the highest level for over five years.

British Commitments

Nick Palmer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the extent to which British commitments are stretching Army capacity.

Adam Ingram: We do not believe that the armed forces are overstretched, but they are very busy. The announcement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 20 June about the contribution of British forces in operations in Afghanistan demonstrates our commitment to withdraw service personnel from operations at the earliest possible opportunity, in order to ease the demands placed on them.
	Currently around 25 per cent. of the Army is committed to operations compared to 44 per cent. at the height of the campaign in Kosovo. The latest assessment of the average unit tour interval is around 24 months, which is consistent with the Strategic Defence Review target.

Warship Building

Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on building Royal Navy warships in the United Kingdom.

Lewis Moonie: It remains our policy that all warships for the Royal Navy will continue to be built in the United Kingdom. The major programme of new naval procurement that is currently in progress will create or secure several thousand jobs in the United Kingdom shipyards and their ancillary industries throughout the country.

Warship Building

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on MOD orders for shipbuilding in the United Kingdom.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence is undertaking the largest programme of warship building in this country for decades. In the last two years, 15 new warships have been ordered for service with the Royal Navy, comprising six type 45 destroyers, four Alternative Landing Ships Logistic, two survey vessels and three offshore patrol vessels.
	In addition, our plans include the purchase of two new aircraft carriers, further ASTUTE class submarines and type 45 destroyers, the future surface combatant, and a number of support vessels.
	It remains our policy that all warships for the Royal Navy will continue to be built in the United Kingdom. This major programme of shipbuilding will create or secure several thousand jobs in UK shipyards and their ancillary industries throughout the country.

Shoeburyness (New Ranges)

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future use of the new ranges in Shoeburyness.

Lewis Moonie: As I answered on 17 June, the Shoeburyness ranges are included in the arrangements being negotiated with QinetiQ for the delivery of a long-term test and evaluation capability to the Ministry of Defence.

Ordnance Production

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the future production of ordnance in the United Kingdom.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence considers achieving value for taxpayers' money, as well as security of supply, to be the key criteria in the procurement of safe and reliable munitions. In 1999, the MOD entered into a 10-year Framework Partnering Agreement with Royal Ordnance Defence, the United Kingdom's major producer of munitions. This agreement provides the company with a schedule of business and visibility of MOD's potential future requirements such that the company can provide the MOD with munitions at world benchmark prices.

Territorial Army

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future role of the Territorial Army in the war on terrorism.

Geoff Hoon: The Volunteer Reserves have important roles in both overseas operations and the defence of the United Kingdom. In overseas operations, they already have essential and well-defined duties, and the nature of their involvement is unlikely to change. The changed security threat could, however, involve the Volunteer Reserves in taking on additional roles. I announced on 12 June the publication of a discussion document, "The Role of the Reserves in Home Defence and Security", a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. This contained specific proposals to enhance the support that the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces, including the Volunteer Reserves, could provide to the civil authorities. This included a proposal to create reaction forces formed from Volunteer Reservists that could be called upon to assist the police in dealing with the immediate aftermath of a terrorist attack.

Territorial Army

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Territorial Army.

Lewis Moonie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (Mr. Edwards).

Personnel (Religions)

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements exist for armed forces personnel from non-Christian groups to practise their faith.

Adam Ingram: The armed forces are committed to giving all individuals the opportunity to practise their faith wherever possible. Where practical, areas for worship are made available in all service establishments, including ships and submarines at sea and, in most circumstances, arrangements can be made for daily prayer. Every effort is made to enable personnel to celebrate religious festivals and holidays, to comply with specific religious dress codes or dietary requirements, and to fast when required. However, there may be some circumstances when, in the interests of health and safety or operational effectiveness, some flexibility may be required on the part of the individual.

Eurofighter

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Eurofighter aircraft and the date of its entry into service.

Lewis Moonie: The first Eurofighter aircraft is now expected to enter into service by the end of this year.

Afghanistan

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress made in the war against terrorism in Afghanistan.

Geoff Hoon: The coalition has destroyed the Taliban regime and inflicted serious damage on al-Qaeda. Although remnants of both groups continue to pose a threat, coalition forces—including strong contingents from the United Kingdom—have had considerable success during recent operations. They destroyed weapons caches and bunker positions, obtained valuable intelligence material and denied ground to the Taliban and al-Qaeda in advance of the Loya Jirga, whose outcome was very welcome. We have made clear that the tempo and location of the campaign will vary according to the situation on the ground.

Afghanistan

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the security situation in Afghanistan.

Geoff Hoon: Overall the security situation in Kabul has greatly improved since the ISAF began its operations there last December. The security situation elsewhere in Afghanistan is more uncertain. But we were pleased with the outcome of the Loya Jirga, and are confident that President Karzai will strive to address these security concerns. The international community is also working to assist the Afghan Islamic Transitional Administration with security sector reform. This includes work on a national police force, border control force and judiciary as well as the Afghan Army.

Afghanistan

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the involvement of British personnel in southern Oruzgan in Afghanistan for the week of 26 June to 1 July;
	(2)  whether British (a) troops and (b) support services were involved in gun battles in southern Oruzgan in Afghanistan during the week of 26 June to 1 July.

Geoff Hoon: British personnel were not involved in southern Oruzgan at that time.

Afghanistan

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the strength of the combined ISAF force will be after the planned summer withdrawal of troops.

Geoff Hoon: On 23 May 2002 the United Nations' Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1413 renewing the authorisation for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to operate only in Kabul and its immediate environs. The combined strength of the force is determined by that requirement. The reduction in the United Kingdom's contribution to the ISAF following Turkey's adoption of the Lead Nation role on 20 June 2002 is offset by the consequent increase in the size of the Turkish contingent. The overall strength of the ISAF will therefore remain at around 5,000 personnel.

Afghanistan

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on contact between the US gunship AC-130 and British personnel on 1 July;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on contact between US bomber planes and British personnel on 1 July in Afghanistan.

Geoff Hoon: I assume this question refers to the regrettable bombing of a wedding party on 1 July in Afghanistan. United Kingdom personnel had no contact with the US AC-130 or bomber planes at that time.

Service Personnel

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he is taking to improve support for service personnel on their return to civilian life.

Betty Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he is taking to improve support for service personnel on their return to civilian life.

Lewis Moonie: I refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friends the Members for Rhondda (Mr. Bryant) and for Ribble North (Mr. Borrow).

Fleet Air Arm

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Fleet Air Arm.

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Fleet Air Arm.

Adam Ingram: The future of the Fleet Air Arm is assured as an integral part of the Royal Navy, under Flag Officer Maritime Aviation and CINCFLEET. Maritime aviation capabilities are provided on a tri-service basis, but led by seasoned Royal Navy and Royal Marines aviators in all three Service Commands. The three pillars of the Fleet Air Arm are the battlefield helicopters of the Commando Helicopter Force in Land Command, fixed-wing squadrons in Strike Command, and naval helicopters in the Fleet.
	Plans to build two large aircraft carriers are well advanced, with selection of a prime contractor expected in early 2003. Two of the four planned Harrier GR9 squadrons in the Joint Force Harrier will be predominately manned by Fleet Air Arm personnel, the other two predominantly by RAF. The first Merlin Mark 1 helicopter squadron is already in HMS Ark Royal, and plans are in hand to replace Maritime Lynx helicopter beginning in 2007. The first upgraded AEW Sea King flight will go to sea later this year, and the Joint Strike Fighter will be introduced from 2012.

European Defence Capabilities

Roger Casale: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on improving defence capabilities among European partner countries in the last three years.

Geoff Hoon: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for North Durham (Mr. Jones).

European Defence Capabilities

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in improving defence capabilities among other allied European countries in the last three years.

Geoff Hoon: We are working within both NATO and EU structures to improve European defence capabilities. NATO's Defence Capabilities Initiative has made significant progress in a number of areas since its launch in 1999. The creation of new High Readiness Force headquarters shows that, with sufficient commitment, allies can make real improvements in capabilities. In parallel, contributions from EU member states have so far met 104 of the 144 capability requirements underpinning the Helsinki Headline Goal agreed in December 1999. The remaining targets are being addressed through the European Capabilities Action Plan.
	We expect to launch a new capabilities initiative at the Prague summit in November. This will be designed to be more focused than DCI; to incorporate clear commitments from allies to making good key capability shortfalls, and to complement the EU's Headline Goal process.

Gurkha Regiments

Bill O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Gurkha regiments.

Adam Ingram: We recognise that Gurkhas make a very important contribution to the Army and we intend to maintain the two existing Royal Gurkha Regiments and the current force level of trained Gurkhas in the British Army.
	I am pleased to say that we plan to create two additional permanent Gurkha sub-units—a Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Squadron, which will be part of 10 Transport Regiment RLC, and a Queen's Gurkha Signal Squadron, which will be part of 21 Signal Regiment. This move will ensure that the Army is able to deliver enhancements envisaged under the Strategic Defence Review.

RAF Engineers

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he is taking to improve retention of engineers in the Royal Air Force.

Adam Ingram: Improving retention across all Branches and Trades is one of the Royal Air Force's highest priorities.
	The common thread in areas experiencing retention difficulties is the employability of and the opportunities available to highly trained specialists in the civilian work place. A buoyant market place acts as a significant pull.
	A number of measures have been introduced across the RAF to improve retention. These include monitoring and managing levels of separated service, enhanced and more personalised career management, improvements to welfare support services, such as child care facilities, and a re-engagement package for junior ground trade personnel.
	A review of the RAF's Engineer Branch structure is currently taking place. Among other things, the Review will consider measures to address any recruiting and retention issues. It is due to be completed by the end the year.

Armed Services Housing

David Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the Deputy Prime Minister on the housing needs of former members of the armed services.

Lewis Moonie: There has been no direct discussion on this issue between my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Defence and the Deputy Prime Minister. However, under the auspices of the Veterans Task Force, the Ministry of Defence continues to work in partnership with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, other Government Departments, Veterans' organisations and other non-Governmental organisations on ways to tackle problems of homelessness among the veterans' community. Recent examples of partnership initiatives in this area include the establishment of the Single Persons Accommodation Centre for the Ex-Services (SPACES) at Catterick, which is managed by the English Churches Housing Group, and enhanced co-operation between the charity "Shelter" and the Military Corrective and Training Centre in Colchester through the appointment of a Shelter Project Officer at the Centre. These initiatives were originally funded as pilot schemes by the Homelessness Directorate of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. In the light of their success, the MOD has assumed continuing funding responsibility from April 2002. In addition, the Homelessness Act places a new duty on local authorities to conduct a homelessness audit and prepare a strategy to prevent future homelessness. A new Order under the Act will be issued shortly to extend the groups of homeless people considered to be in priority need of housing. This will cover those who are vulnerable to homelessness as a result of their institutionalised background, including those who have served in the armed forces. I believe that these and other initiatives will provide significant additional help to those veterans likely to be the most vulnerable to homelessness.

Imber

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many requests for access to the village of Imber his Department has received in each of the past five years.

Adam Ingram: In recent years the roads that cross Salisbury Plain training area have been opened on about 25 days each year in order to give the general public access to Imber village. Once a year, two services are also held at St. Giles Church, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. These occasions are well publicised and certainly obviate many requests for access. In addition, however, we have received both written and telephone requests to provide access to Imber village on days other than those when the roads are already open. As far as possible, these requests are accommodated. Unfortunately, no records are kept of the telephone requests, but the number of written requests in each of the past five years are shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Year Number of written requests 
		
		
			 1998 1 
			 1999 1 
			 2000 5 
			 2001 7 
			 2002 to date 8 
			  
			 Total 22

Munitions

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the (a) estimated sale proceeds, (b) estimated redundancy lump-sum payments, (c) Ministry of Defence police transfer costs, (d) staff transfer costs, (e) costs of movement of stock, (f) cost of replacement facilities, (g) operating costs transferred to other locations and (h) T and H storage reprovision relating to the closure of Dean Hill Munitions Depot.

Adam Ingram: Although the Ministry of Defence has assessed the disposal value of the West Dean site this is likely to be sold on the Open Market. To release our estimates of value could influence the eventual receipt. This information is therefore withheld under exception 7 of the Code of Practice to Government Information.
	The other information requested is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Estimated redundancy lump-sum payments 2,097,465 
			 Ministry of Defence police transfer costs 440,000 
			 Staff transfer costs 160,000 
			 Costs of movement of stock 50,000 
			 Cost of replacement facilities (3)570,000 
			 Operating costs transferred to other locations (4)86,000 
			 T and H storage reprovision relating to the closure of Deal Hill munitions depot 450,000 
		
	
	(3) including 86,000 per annum
	(4) per annum
	All of these aspects plus others were taken into account in the Investment Appraisal supporting closure.

Weapons of Mass Destruction

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether a timetable has been established for the completion of the WMD response initiatives suggested by the US on the 6 to 7 June meeting of the NATO Defence Ministers; what the estimated cost is of the initiatives; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: Following the Defence Ministers' meeting, the NATO military authorities are conducting detailed work to develop and finalise the NBC Defence Initiatives for endorsement at NATO's forthcoming summit meeting in Prague in November. It is therefore too soon to estimate any costs. However, it is intended to implement all of the initiatives by 2004.
	The United Kingdom strongly supports these initiatives, which will enhance Alliance capability in this important area. We shall be taking a full part in the detailed development work.

Missile Defence

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to meet the official US delegation that is visiting NATO capitals next month with the aim of launching a round of discussions on co-operation in the US Missile Defence Programme;

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he plans with the missile defence delegation from the US shortly to visit the UK.

Geoff Hoon: An inter-agency delegation of United States officials is visiting London later this month for discussions with British officials on missile defence. This is one leg of a tour of a number of NATO capitals as part of the United States' continuing dialogue with allies on ballistic missile defence. I have no plans to meet the delegation.

Joint Rapid Reaction Force

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the full capability of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force has been established; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: holding answer 11 July 2002
	The full capability of the Joint Rapid Reaction Forces is due to be established by 2005. Initial capability was achieved, as planned, in 1999 and elements of the Joint Rapid Reaction Forces have already been successfully deployed on a number of operations and exercises.

HMS Bridport

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the operational status of HMS Bridport is; and when the vessel entered service.

Adam Ingram: HMS Bridport is currently held at Extended Readiness at her base port, Faslane. She was first commissioned in 1993.

HMS Nottingham

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the repair of HMS Nottingham; and for how long he anticipates the ship will be out of service.

Adam Ingram: Repair options for HMS Nottingham are being considered. It is too early to say how long she will remain out of service.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Communication Masts

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she will take in relation to the planned erection of masts in areas of outstanding natural beauty by each of the emergency services.

Alun Michael: The Airwave service which is currently being rolled out for the Police is being provided by the operator mmO2. Other emergency services are also being invited to join the network. The network has no special planning status and mm02 will need to seek planning permission for the base stations and associated masts in the normal way.
	Although my Department does not have a role in the planning process for the masts, my officials have held a meeting with officials From the Home Office and the Department for Trade and Industry to discuss co-ordination of masts policy. They plan to hold a further meeting with officials from the Office of The Deputy Prime Minister to discuss the need for sensitive sighting of masts in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural beauty.

Energy Efficiency Programmes

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what was the advertising budget for her Department's energy efficiency programmes for each of the (a) past five years and (b) next two years.

Michael Meacher: DEFRA does not have a specific advertising budget for energy efficiency programmes. Instead we provide funding to a number of organisations to provide a range of energy efficiency activities/ programmes. These organisations use funding in a number of ways to promote energy efficiency, including advertising schemes, events, marketing and awards. These activities and their funding tend to be very inter-related with other energy measures, rather than stand alone. The main organisations which manage programmes to promote energy efficiency are:
	The Energy Saving Trust (DEFRA funding of about £22 million pa) encourages the sustainable use of energy in the domestic and small business sectors. Work includes an Energy Efficiency Campaign to encourage domestic consumers to take up energy efficiency measures.
	The Carbon Trust (DEFRA funding of about £26 million pa) aims to enable UK business and public sectors to move towards a sustainable, low carbon economy whilst maintaining business competitiveness.
	The Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme (DEFRA funding of about £17 million pa) provides energy efficiency information and advice to the public and business sectors. The programme has now been transferred to the Energy Saving Trust and the Carbon Trust.
	The Government's main programme for tackling fuel poverty in England is the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, (DEFRA funding of over £600 million for the period 2000–2004) now marketed as the Warm Front Team. It is operated and marketed on the Department's behalf by scheme managers
	In addition energy efficiency has formed an element of my Department's Are You Doing Your Bit programme.

Landfill

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the likely date for the introduction co-disposal practices under the landfill directive; what change to (a) guidance from her Department and (b) legislation (i) has taken place and (ii) is planned as a result; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: The Landfill Directive bans the co-disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste at existing landfill sites from 16 July 2004. This requirement has been transposed into domestic legislation through the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002 which came into effect on 15 June.

Landfill

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if she will list the addresses of landfill sites that have successfully complied with Landfill Directive 99/31/EC in order to operate beyond 16 July;
	(2)  what proportion of existing landfills have demonstrated that they can comply with the Landfill Directive 99/31/EC in order to operate beyond 16 July.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 1 July 2002
	This information is not yet available. Operators of landfill sites who wish to continue to accept waste for disposal beyond 16 July 2002 must submit a site conditioning plan to the Environment agency by that date setting out how that site will meet the requirements of the Landfill Directive. On the basis of the information contained in the plans the Agency will make a decision on whether the site can or cannot meet those requirements. Sites which cannot meet the requirements will be closed. Sites which the Agency judge should be able to meet the requirements will be given a date by which they must submit an application for a Pollution Prevention and Control permit as part of the phased re-permitting of all landfill sites which will be complete by 2007.

Landfill

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what training programmes she has run for operators and staff at existing landfills to ensure that they are technically competent to manage the site and have the financial provisions to cover the maintenance and aftercare requirements of the site according to Landfill Directive 99/31/EC; how many staff have been made available; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 1 July 2002
	The department does not run training courses for landfill operators and staff. Technical competence is assessed through the system of Certificates of Technical Competence awarded by the Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board. The Environment agency cannot issue a permit for a landfill unless they are satisfied that the management of the site is in the hands of a technically competent person and that final provision adequate to discharge the obligations arising from the permit has been made.

Landfill

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what change to (a) guidance from her Department and (b) legislation (i) has taken place and (ii) is planned as a result of changes required under the EU Landfill Directive; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: The Department has issued an amended version of 'Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control—A Practical Guide' to reflect the requirements of the Landfill Directive and is currently preparing guidance to accompany the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002. In addition, the Environment agency has published a wide range of guidance on the regulatory and technical requirements of the Directive.
	The regulatory and technical requirements of the Landfill Directive have been implemented through the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002 which came into effect on 15 June. We will bring forward primary legislation to introduce a Tradable Allowance scheme that will assist Local Authorities in meeting their targets for the diversion of biodegradable waste from landfill, as set out in the Directive, as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Sheepmeat

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what volume of sheep or lamb intestines were imported into (a) the EU and (b) the United Kingdom in each of the last three years for which figures are available from (i) China, (ii) Turkey, (iii) Iran, (iv) New Zealand, (v) Australia, (vi) USA, (vii) Syria, (viii) Pakistan, (ix) Lebanon, (x) Uruguay, (xi) Chile, (xii) Morocco, (xiii) India and (xiv) all other countries.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 9 July 2002
	Overseas trade statistics are not collected at a sufficient level of detail to separately identify sheep or lamb intestines, either on an EU or UK basis.

Animal Feed

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to ban the use of waste cooking oil as an additive in animal feed.

Margaret Beckett: The proposed Commission Regulation on health requirements for animal by-products includes a ban on the feeding of catering waste to livestock. The Commission interprets the definition of "catering waste" to include used cooking oils.
	The Government opposed a total ban on cooking oils as a disproportionate method of removing the small risk of contamination, and following negotiation it is likely that we may be granted a transitional period to provide the industry with time (we have asked for a period of two years) to adjust.

Swill Feeding

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to ban the import of pig meat and other products from countries which have not banned swill feeding.

Margaret Beckett: Imports of pig meat and other products are governed by European Community rules. These do not prohibit swill feeding but do require that products imported from third countries are produced to standards at least equivalent to those applied to Community production. The products must come from approved establishments in approved countries and must be accompanied by agreed veterinary certification confirming that public and animal health requirements for import have been complied with. All imported consignments are subject to veterinary checks at an authorised Border Inspection Post to ensure that import requirements have been complied with. Consignments that do not comply are rejected and will be re-exported or destroyed.

Swill Feeding

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects an EU-wide ban on swill-feeding to come into force.

Margaret Beckett: The proposed EU Regulation on health requirements for animal by-products includes a ban on the feeding of catering waste to livestock.
	To secure adoption of the EU Regulation, expected this year, and to apply in member states six to seven months thereafter, it is likely that Germany and Austria, who opposed the ban, will be granted a transitional period in which to phase out swill feeding. The length of that period and the controls to apply during it will be proposed by the European Commission.

Swill Feeding

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she plans to compensate swill feeders for the financial losses caused by the ban on swill-feeding.

Margaret Beckett: Farmers have not under previous Governments been compensated for changes in feed material available for their livestock, and the Government do not consider it should alter this position in the light of the ban on feeding swill.

BSE in Sheep

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she plans to implement the recommendations of the Food Standards Agency's report on BSE and Sheep, May 2002 relating to the (a) content and (b) timing of the National Scrapie Plan; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: I assume the hon. Member refers to a report by the Food Standards Agency's Core Stakeholder Group on BSE and Sheep. The report does not recommend any changes to the content of the national scrapie plan. It recommends that the Food Standards Agency should support acceleration of the plan and should encourage sheep farmers to participate. The recommendations were directed at the Food Standards Agency itself, and I understand that the Agency's board adopted them at its meeting on 13 June. The recommendations are in line with existing Government policy.

BSE in Sheep

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will commission and publish an assessment of the impact on British industry of adding the intestines of all sheep to the list of specified risk material.

Margaret Beckett: We have no immediate plans to commission such an assessment. The proposal to add the intestines of all sheep to the current list of specified risk material arose in a recent report from a core stakeholder group commissioned by the Food Standards Agency. The group's recommendations have since been endorsed by the Board of the Agency. Before such a measure could apply in the UK, it would need to be agreed on a European Community-wide basis. To that end, the Agency has formally written to the Commission, to register the recommendation. We will keep the situation under review. If the European Commission make a proposal for regulation we would commission a regulatory impact assessment.

Greenhouse Gases

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate the Government have made of the contribution that the devolved Administrations in the United Kingdom will make to the reduction of greenhouse gases required for the United Kingdom to meet its (a) Kyoto targets and (b) domestic goal of a 20 per cent. cut in carbon dioxide emissions.

Michael Meacher: Since the Kyoto target and domestic goal apply to the whole of the UK it was agreed between the devolved Administrations and the Government that no specific targets would be allocated. The devolved Administrations have agreed to make an equitable contribution towards achieving both our Kyoto target and domestic goal and are implementing broadly the same policies as in England to achieve this end. These policies are outlined in the UK climate change programme, a copy of which can be found in the House of Commons Library.
	Between 1990 and 1999 (the latest year for which figures at devolved Administration level are available), carbon dioxide emissions fell in all countries except Wales, where emissions increased by 1 per cent. The increase in Wales largely reflects the growth in the production of iron and steel. This off-sets significant reductions in other manufacturing areas. Over the same period, emissions of the basket of six greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto target fell in all countries. The table gives a full breakdown of how emissions of carbon dioxide and the basket of six greenhouse gases collectively have changed for each of the devolved Administrations between 1990 and 1999.
	
		Table 1
		
			  Percentage change between 1990 and 1999  
			 Country CO 2  Greenhouse gases 
		
		
			 England -11.5 -17.5 
			 Northern Ireland -7.3 -3.3 
			 Scotland -3.3 -4.8 
			 Wales 1.3 -1

Secondments

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 2 July 2002, Official Report, column 251W, on secondments, if she will list the dates of those secondments and the Government offices, European Commission Directorates and organisations in which they took place.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 11 July 2002
	Details of the secondments referred to in the answer of 2 July 2002, Official Report, column 251W, are set out in the following tables.
	
		To Government offices
		
			 Date Government office 
		
		
			 1 April 2001(5) East 
			 1 April 2001(5) East Midlands 
			 1 April 2001(5) London 
			 1 April 2001(5) North East 
			 1 April 2001(5) North West 
			 1 April 2001(5) South East 
			 1 April 2001(5) South West 
			 1 April 2001(5) West Midlands 
			 1 April 2001(5) Yorkshire and Humberside 
		
	
	(5) On-going
	
		
			 Date Organisation 
		
		
			 To EC Directorates  
			 15 September 2000(6) Enlargement 
			 15 September 2000(6) Health and Consumer Protection 
			 24 September 2001 to 28 February 2002 Health and Consumer Protection 
			 1 March 2002(6) Health and Consumer Protection 
			 6 May 2002(6) Health and Consumer Protection 
			 16 September 2001 to 30 April 2002 Health and Consumer Protection 
			 1 September 2001(6) Agriculture 
			 1 October 2001(6) Research 
			 18 February 2002 to 5 July 2002 Research 
			 19 February 2001 to 1 August 2001 (2) Environment 
			 17 September 2001 to 18 February 2002 Environment 
			 16 May 2001(6) Environment 
			 1 January 2000(6) Environment 
			 16 October 2000(6) Environment 
			 16 February 2002(6) (2) Environment 
			 1 January 2002(6) Competition 
			 18 February 2002(6) Fisheries 
			 1 September 2000(6) Fisheries 
			 17 January 2000(6) Fisheries 
			 1 October 1999(6) Legal 
			 1 July 1993(6) Technical Assistance Information Exchange Office 
			
			 To organisations abroad  
			 September 2001(6) Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) Prague 
			 19 November 2000(6) UN Nairobi 
			 26 March 2001 to 27 March 2002 MoA France 
			 10 September 2001 to 9 January 2002 MoA Lisbon 
			 16 July 2001(6) Government of Gibraltar 
			 5 February 2001(6) UN USA 
			 8 January 2001(6) National Audit Office Budapest 
			 1 October 2001(6) MoA Latvia 
			   
			 To other organisations  
			 1 May 1998(6) Oslo and Paris Commissions 
			 28 February 2001(6) Oslo and Paris Commissions 
			 20 November 2000(6) English Partnerships 
			 25 May 2000 to 24 April 2002 South East Environment Development Agency 
			 1 August 2000 to 10 June 2002 Shell 
			 4 December 2000(6) Rural Stress Information Network 
			 1 November 2001(6) National Farmers Union 
			 1 November 2001 to 1 February 2002 National Farmers Union 
			 2 April 2001(6) Carbon Trust 
			 24 April 2001 to 17 December 2001 Carbon Trust 
			 2 April 2001 to 9 July 2001 Carbon Trust 
			 May 2001 to January 2002 Carbon Trust 
			 1 May 2001 to 13 October 2001 Carbon Trust 
			 8 October 2001 to 11 January 2002 English Heritage 
			 1 October 2001(6) Green Alliance 
			 6 April 1998(6) Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group 
			 12 March 2001 to 11 June 2001 Carillion Ltd. 
			 26 July 2001(6) South West Regional Assembly 
			 12 June 2000 to 12 December 2001 Institute of Grocery Distribution 
			 26 June 2000(6) Institute of Grocery Distribution 
			 27 May 2002(6) Institute of Grocery Distribution 
			   
			 From other organisations  
			 16 October 2000(6) Halcrow Ltd. 
			 9 July 2001(6) Glaxco Smith Kline 
			 14 March 2001(6) Environmental Resource Management 
			 15 September 2000(6) English Nature 
			 16 January 2001(6) English Nature 
			 1 January 2002(6) English Nature 
			 15 January 2001(6) English Nature 
			 1 February 2002 to 31 March 2002 Environmental Campaigns 
			 5 February 2001 to 4 February 2002 Environment Agency 
			 2 July 2001 to 1 July 2002 Environment Agency 
			 5 October 2000(6) Environment Agency 
			 30 May 2001 to 29 May 2002 Environment Agency 
			 10 October 2001 to 10 April 2002 Environment Agency 
			 7 January 2002(6) Countryside Agency 
			 15 January 2002(6) Countryside Agency 
			 1 March 2002(6) World Wildlife Fund 
			 1 October 2001 to 1 April 2002 Natural Environment Research Council 
			 5 November 2001(6) Forestry Commission 
		
	
	(6) On-going

GMOs

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how the scientific assessment of GM issues announced on 31 May relates to existing regulatory processes for GM crops; and whether the findings will be submitted to (a) Action with Communities in Rural England and (b) the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes.

Michael Meacher: The Government announced on 31 May that they will encourage a full and open debate on GM issues, including GM crops. We are promoting a genuine debate and dialogue, to identify the questions which the public has and provide information in response.
	GM crops have to go through a detailed safety evaluation before they can be approved for release. As one element of the debate there will be an assessment reviewing the current state of scientific knowledge in this area. This will contribute to the wider discussion and will be made freely available. If significant new evidence comes forward during the debate which is pertinent to the regulatory status of a particular GM crop or food it will be considered by the relevant Government advisory committee. The safety of GM crops is considered by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment and the safety of GM foods by the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes.

Diseases and Pests

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what outbreaks of serious (a) animal, (b) fish and (c) plant diseases and pests there have been in the UK since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 11 July 2002
	The information is as follows:
	(a) animal diseases
	There were outbreaks of classical swine fever in 2000 and foot and mouth disease in 2001.
	(b) fish diseases
	There was an outbreak of infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) in Scotland between May 1998 and May 1999. ISA is a serious fish disease which, in the event of an outbreak, is required to be controlled in accordance with measures specified in the Diseases of Fish (Control) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994 No. 1447) as amended.
	(c) plant diseases and pests
	Statutory action has been taken is shown in the following table. This includes figures for Northern Ireland and Scotland provided by the devolved Administrations.
	
		
			   1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 Rhizomania (disease of sugar beet) 10 33 13 68 (7)1 
			 Ralstonia solanacearum (potato brown rot) 0 2 1 0 0 
			 Bemisia tabaci (tobacco whitefly) 26 20 32 19 3 
			 Liriomyza huidebrensis (South American leaf miner) 53 42 36 13 2 
			 Thrips palmi 0 0 1 0 0 
			 Viteus vitifoliae (Grape phylloxera) 0 0 0 1 1 
			 Pepino mosaic virus (on tomatoes) 0 3 6 6 0 
			 Soil borne wheat mosaic virus 0 1 2 0 2 
			 Phytophthora ramorum (cause of sudden oak death) 0 0 0 0 73 
		
	
	(7) No longer subject to statutory control after 1 April 2002.
	Further information is available on the plant health pages of the DEFRA website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/ planth/ph.htm.

Committee Mandates

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Committee on the Monitoring Mechanisms of Emissions of CO 2 and other greenhouse gases in the Community is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: The next meeting of the EU Monitoring Mechanism Committee is scheduled for 17 September 2002. Places per member state at this committee are limited, so officials from the Department usually represent the UK having consulted the Scottish Executive and the other devolved Administrations on the UK line.

Recycling

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what definition of recycling her Department uses to measure the statutory recycling rate for local authorities.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 11 July 2002
	The definition of recycling used by the Department for measuring local authority recycling rates is that contained in the Best Value Performance Indicator 82a, under which local authorities are requested to report the percentage of household waste which has been 'sent for recycling'. 'Recycled' is defined as "reprocessed in a production process for the original purpose, or for other purposes, but excluding energy recovery".
	In this context, household waste includes:
	waste collection rounds (including separate rounds for collection for recyclables);
	street cleansing and litter collection;
	bulky waste collections;
	hazardous household waste collections;
	household clinical waste collections;
	garden waste collections;
	drop-off/bring systems;
	any other household waste collected by the authority.

Recycling

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what advice her Department provides to assist local authorities to calculate their level of recycling;
	(2)  how her Department defines community recycled programmes of household waste, as set out in Best Value Performance Indicator 82a.

Michael Meacher: holding reply 11 July 2002
	Guidance on the calculation of household waste, including items that should be excluded from the calculation, is set out in the guidance on "Best Value Performance Indicators", first published in December 2000. This guidance underpins the DETR's "Guidance on Municipal Waste Management Strategies", which was published in March 2001.
	The Department has not defined the 'community recycling programmes' that may be included in this calculation. If there is any uncertainty about whether a particular approach should score in an authority's calculation, we would expect the relevant authority to raise this with their external auditor in the first instance.

GM Foods

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received regarding GM foods; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: This year the Department has received over 40 representations on the subject of GM foods, from various organisations and individuals, including consumer groups, environmental groups, industry and members of the public.

GM Foods

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent talks she has had regarding GM foods with members of the European Parliament; and what the conclusions from those talks were.

Michael Meacher: In line with normal practice for reports passing through the European Parliament, written briefing setting out the UK Government's views on the Commission's proposals on the traceability and labelling of GMOs and on GM food and feed was sent to all UK Members of the Parliament in advance of the Parliament's discussions on these proposals. Officials from DEFRA and the Food Standards Agency spoke with and visited Members of the European Parliament interested in obtaining further information about the Government's view.

Software

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is towards using open source software; and what percentage is used in her Department.

Alun Michael: DEFRA's IT technical policies do not indicate the use of open source software. The vast majority of DEFRA software requirements are currently met by commercial off-the-shelf software; open source software usage is insignificant in overall percentage terms. DEFRA's use of open source software will follow the Government policy when published. The draft policy can be viewed on http://www.govtalk.gov.uk/default.asp. It is understood that there are plans to publish the policy in summer 2002.

Extraction

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many licences have been issued for sand extraction in (a) the UK, (b) Wales and (c) Ceredigion in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  what volume of sand was extracted through licences issued by her Department in (a) the UK, (b) Wales and (c) Ceredigion in each of the last 10 years.

Tony McNulty: I have been asked to reply.
	Sand extraction above mean low water comes within the planning powers of Local Minerals Planning Authorities. There are no central UK-wide, English or Welsh records of numbers of planning permissions issued for such extraction. Over the past 10 years, successive Secretaries of State with responsibility for planning have granted planning permission on appeal and in respect of called-in planning applications in England and Wales for a number of sand extraction proposals but there are no central UK-wide, English or Welsh records of the total tonnage of sand only permitted on a year-by-year basis.
	Nearly all sand extraction below mean low water is licensed by the Crown Estate, which owns most of the seabed around the UK coast. The Crown Estate advise me that:
	(a) it has granted the following numbers of aggregate (including sand) dredging licences in the UK and Wales over the past 10 years:
	
		
			  UK Wales 
		
		
			 1991 0 0 
			 1992 1 0 
			 1993 1 0 
			 1994 0 0 
			 1995 3 0 
			 1996 0 0 
			 1997 2 1 
			 1998 1 1 
			 1999 1 0 
			 2000 2 0 
			 2001 1 0 
			  
			 Total 12 2 
		
	
	(b) the following tonnages of aggregates (including sand) were extracted from UK and Welsh waters through licences that it has issued in each of the last 10 years:
	
		
			  Total extraction UK (tonnes) Total Extraction Wales (tonnes) 
		
		
			 1991 18,418,044 2,015,721 
			 1992 19,271,492 2,354,782 
			 1993 17,962,785 2,133,668 
			 1994 20,792,887 2,211,015 
			 1995 20,953,624 2,235,543 
			 1996 19,392,937 1,948,028 
			 1997 19,959,782 2,030,693 
			 1998 20,471,191 1,878,373 
			 1999 20,910,185 1,717,428 
			 2000 23,056,885 1,602,394 
			 2001 21,151,015 1,549,431 
			  
			 Total 222,340,827 21,677,076 
		
	
	and that
	(c) it has granted no licences in waters off Ceredigion.

Extraction

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans to (a) increase and (b) reform sand extraction in (i) the UK, (ii) Wales and (iii) Ceredigion; and if she will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: I have been asked to reply.
	The rates of production from areas with the benefit of planning permission for extraction of sand from the land and areas subject to marine minerals dredging licences at sea depend on demand from the market, although marine consents and some planning permissions for extraction from land specify maximum annual tonnage that can be removed. Policies for the supply of sand, administration of the development control system, and determination of applications for marine minerals dredging licences are devolved matters which are, in Wales, for the Welsh Assembly Government.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made with reducing the UK's carbon dioxide emissions in the last five years.

Michael Meacher: The table shows the UK's carbon dioxide emissions over the five year period of 1996–2000 (2000 being the last year for which confirmed figures are available). During this period the UK's carbon dioxide emissions fell from 159.1 million tonnes of carbon to 152.1 million tonnes of carbon, a reduction of 4.4 per cent. The rise in emissions between 1999 and 2000 were mainly due to an increased use of coal in the energy mix, because of maintenance and repair at nuclear and combined cycle gas turbine stations and higher gas prices at the end of the year.
	
		
			  Emissions of carbon dioxide (as million tonnes of carbon)  Percentage change from previous year 
		
		
			 1996 159.1 — 
			 1997 152.5 -4.1 
			 1998 153.2 +0.5 
			 1999 150.8 -1.6 
			 2000 152.1 +0.9

Rural Development Plan

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much modulated match funds have been allocated to each devolved Administration within the UK to fund the Rural Development Plan each year since the programme commenced.

Alun Michael: Budgets have been provided to the devolved Administrations to allow for the spending of modulation receipts to be match funded, with the match funding occurring at the point that the modulated funds are spent. In 2001, the first year of modulation, the level of match funding was £3.3 million in England, £323,000 in Scotland and £53,000 in Northern Ireland. There were no modulation funded payments in Wales in 2001 and hence no match funding.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Global Environment Fund

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the replenishment of the global environment fund; and what criteria have been adopted for allocations of finances from this fund.

Clare Short: The UK has taken the lead in arguing for a substantial replenishment of the Global Environment Facility. Along with the vast majority of other contributors to the Facility, we believe new money of between $2.5 to $2.7 billion over the next four years would be a satisfactory outcome. The final meeting of the replenishment process is scheduled for 6 August and 7 August in Washington.
	Criteria for funding, and funding proposals themselves, are approved by the GEF Council, which meets twice- yearly, and has representatives of all GEF participants. These criteria change in the light of experience, but include how incremental environmental costs and benefits should be defined; and how funds should be most effectively deployed in the GEF's operational areas, such as climate change, biodiversity, desertification and eliminating persistent organic pollutants.

Public Consultations

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the public consultations undertaken by her Department since 1997, indicating for each consultation (a) if copies were available online, (b) if copies were available in print, (c) the date the time period given for responses opened and (d) the date the time period given for responses closed.

Clare Short: We do not keep a record of all consultations held since 1997, and it would involve disproportionate cost to compile such a list. However, all current consultations are now featured on DFID's website as well as being available in printed format.

Public Consultations

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the length was of each public consultation undertaken by her Department since 8 June 2001.

Clare Short: Since June 2001 the Department for International Development has completed one public consultation process on a strategy paper for achieving the Millennium Development Goal on hunger. More than 1,000 people outside Government, in the United Kingdom and internationally, were sent copies of the consultation paper, which was also placed on the DFID website, between February 2002 and 31 March 2002.
	The consultation for a DFID-wide research policy study, "Research For Poverty Reduction", commenced April 2002 and ended 10 May 2002. The consultation for "Better Livelihoods for Poor People: The Role of Agriculture" commenced November 2001 and ended 24 June 2002.
	The following consultations are currently under way, with information available in print form and electronically:
	"Energy for the Poor" (commenced May 2002, ends 31 July 2002)
	"Making connections: Infrastructure for poverty reduction" (commenced May 2002, ends 31 July 2002).
	The Department pursues more focused consultation exercises with outside bodies and experts on particular issues. The Department also regularly makes available, via its website and through civil society networks, briefing notes on major international meetings in which it is involved, such as the United Nations Financing for Development Conference in Monterrey in March, the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Children in May, International Monetary Fund and World bank meetings, and European Union Development Council meetings.
	The Department has just finished its third round of Development Policy Forums across the UK, to share thinking and ideas on key development issues. Over 2000 representatives from across society—including from NGOs, trade unions, private sector, faith organisations and universities—participated in the 11 one-day forums, between 6 February and 8 July 2002. The forums focused on globalisation and its potential to reduce world poverty, with participants invited to debate the specific themes of trade, environment and the private sector.

Overseas Aid

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of the Government's overseas aid budget was spent on low income countries in each year since 1995.

Clare Short: The percentage of my Department's bilateral assistance programme spent on low income countries since 1995 is set out in the table. However, the more commonly used indicator is the proportion of country specific DFID programme going to low income countries in each year so these figures have also been included.
	
		Bilateral aid to low income countries 1995–96 to 2000–01
		
			  Total bilateral programme (£ million) of which, country specific aid (£ million) of which, to low income countries (£ million) Percentage of total bilateral programme Percentage of country specific aid 
		
		
			 1995–96 1,123 869 602 54 69 
			 1996–97 1,075 855 575 53 67 
			 1997–98 1,043 824 536 51 65 
			 1998–99 1,164 920 666 57 72 
			 1999–2000 1,323 1,056 710 54 67 
			 2000–01 1,414 1,167 886 63 76

Overseas Aid

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what priority is given to the quality of governance in determining the allocation of financial assistance to overseas countries.

Clare Short: The primary determinants of our allocations between countries are the extent of poverty and our judgments about where we can be most effective. The quality of governance is an important factor in assessment of our potential effectiveness, alongside such issues as the policies, commitment and capacity of Government and other institutions and the adequacy of alternative sources of finance.

Somalia

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what impact the ban on livestock exports is having on the humanitarian situation in Somalia.

Clare Short: The livestock trade is a very important sector for the Somali economy. The current trade restrictions are having a negative impact on people's livelihoods and on the revenue of regional administrations. We continue to lobby for the lifting of restrictions.

Somalia

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what difficulties have arisen in the provision of humanitarian assistance in Somalia as a result of the recent violence in the country.

Clare Short: Insecurity in Somalia has hampered the provision of humanitarian assistance over the past decade, particularly in the south. United Nations agencies and international non-government organisations (through whom the UK and EU make their contribution) provide support through cross-border operations. Violence in the regions of Bay, Puntland and Gedo continues to make humanitarian access difficult.

Mozambique

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what impact the recent dry weather has had on the production of food in Mozambique; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps her Department is taking to ensure the adequate provision of food supplies to people living in the northern and central provinces of Mozambique; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: The Crop and Food Supply Assessment undertaken jointly by the Government of Mozambique, WFP and FAO (available on www.fao.org) concluded in June and severe dry weather during the 2001–02 cropping season had sharply reduced crop yields in southern and parts of central Mozambique. In the main cereal growing areas of the northern region and remaining parts of the central region, abundant and well distributed rains led to increased production of cereals. Overall, 2002 cereal output is estimated at 1.77 million tonnes, 5 per cent. above last year, and maize output at 1.24 million tonnes, an increase of 8 per cent. The exportable maize surplus in northern and central areas is projected at 100,000 tonnes, but this cannot be transported economically to the South due to long distances, poor infrastructure, and the proximity of markets in Malawi.
	Approximately 515,000 people in poor households in 43 districts of the Southern and Central regions are affected by the drought. This is about 15 per cent. of the total population of the two regions but less than 3 per cent. of the country's total population. Immediate food aid needs for these areas have been estimated at 50,000 tonnes.
	Food aid is important, but measures are also needed to ensure that seeds and other agricultural inputs are available to enable drought-affected farming families to restart agricultural production during the main planting season 2002–03. Working through the Ministry of Agriculture, DFID and other donors have already supported the provision of inputs to affected households. Our latest information is that immediate food aid needs are covered by other donor countries, but we are monitoring the situation closely. We are discussing with Government and other donors how the additional £1 million allocated for Mozambique as part of DFID's regional response to the drought during the period to March 2003 can be used to best effect, particularly to facilitate access to inputs and to improve food security over the next harvest.

Syria

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department has given to the Government of Syria for the rehabilitation of the country's irrigation system since the collapse of the Zeyzoun dam.

Clare Short: My Department has not provided any direct assistance to the Government of Syria for the rehabilitation of the country's irrigation system following the collapse of the Zeyzoun dam. Information from agencies on the ground, including the Red Cross and the EC, indicate that the immediate needs of the affected population have been well attended to.

Tanzania

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to resume giving aid to Tanzania.

Clare Short: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on Monday 8 July, Official Report, column 616W.

International Development Targets

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on progress towards international development targets.

Clare Short: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend for Sittingbourne and Sheppey (Mr. Wyatt) on 7 May 2002, Official Report, column 15W.

Knowledge for Development Challenge Fund

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will provide a breakdown of her Department's expenditure since 2000–01 on the Knowledge for Development Challenge Fund.

Clare Short: Our latest estimate of DFID expenditure in 2001–02 on the Knowledge for Development Challenge Fund was £671,130. The breakdown was:
	
		
			  £ 
			 Programme/project Expenditure 
		
		
			 Commonwealth Science Council 258,425 
			 SciDevNet Pilot: Pilot to increase access to scientific news and information and more informed debate by scientists, policy makers and users of science and technology. 77,017 
			 GDNet Pilot: Pilot for internet project to strengthen the capacity of research institutes 72,254 
			   
			 Other knowledge activities:  
			 1. Research report 1,200 
			 2. Research guide 5,373 
			 3. Knowledge management and international development workshop 35,471 
			 4. Workshop on China and Clean Development Mechanism 26,777 
			   
			 Other activities:  
			 2. Wilton Park Conference WP644 45,000 
			 3. LDC3 meeting 25,073 
			 4. White Paper team 43,984 
			 5. Information and Communication Technologies Study 11,209 
			 6. Greater Donor Harmonisation 44,144 
			 7. Utstein Meeting 5,203 
			 8. Sector-wide Approaches training consultancy 20,000 
			 Total 671,130

Overseas Visits

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in her Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case.

Clare Short: The detailed information requested is not readily available and to compile it would involve a disproportionate cost. DFID has some 25 country and regional offices located overseas, and this, as well as the international nature of our activities, makes overseas travel a normal part of our business.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Local Government Finance

George Stevenson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will announce the details of the new system of local government finance due to be introduced in the next financial year; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gillingham (Paul Clark) on 8 July 2002, Official Report, columns 680–81W.

Local Government Finance

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent representations he has received from unitary authorities in respect of changes to the standard spending assessment formula.

Christopher Leslie: We have received written representations from a number of unitary authorities recently, as well as discussing SSA-related issues with councils face-to-face on occasion. As my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and the Regions announced to Parliament on 8 July, we are now in a period of formal consultation on options for the new grant distribution system. We will carefully consider all of the responses to the consultation before taking decisions.

Infrastructure Projects Green Paper

John McDonnell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what communications took place between his Department and Mr. Richard Everitt with regard to the preparation of and drafting of the Government's recent planning Green Paper on major infrastructure projects.

Tony McNulty: None.

Council Tax

Iain Coleman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what the average amount of Council Tax charged per household is in each (a) metropolitan area, (b) Government office region and (c) local authority;
	(2)  what the average amount of Council Tax paid per household at Band D is in each (a) metropolitan area, (b) Government office region and (c) local authority.

Christopher Leslie: Figures for the average council tax payable per dwelling and the average council tax payable per Band D property in 2002–03 are given in the DTLR News Release on "Council Taxes in England—2002/03" (2002–0124, 21 March 2002).
	Figures for each government office region are given in Table 1, and those for each local authority area—including each metropolitan district area—are given in Table 2.
	Copies are available in the Libraries of the House and from the website of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister at http://www.local.dtlr.gov.uk/finance/ctax/ ctax023.htm.

Urban Allotments

Ian Lucas: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the total acreage of urban allotments in (a) 1972, (b) 1990 and (c) the latest year for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: Based on the "English Allotments Survey—1997", commissioned by the then Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, estimates are that the area of allotments in England in 1970 was 54,000 acres and in 1996 was 25,393 acres. The figures for 1972 and 1990 are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Rural Housing

Colin Breed: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer of 2 May 2002, Official Report, column 902W, on rural housing, how many households were identified as being in priority need for housing in (a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1999, (e) 2000, (f) 2001 and (g) 2002 in English local authorities by region.

Tony McNulty: National and regional information on the number of households accepted by local authorities under the homelessness provisions of Housing Acts, as being unintentionally homeless and in priority need, is published in a quarterly Statistical Release. Latest figures, issued on 17 June 2002, are as follows:
	
		Households accepted as unintentionally homeless and in priority need:Local authorities in England -- Financial year totals
		
			   1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 North East 5,430 4,380 4,460 4,850 5,220 5,580 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 8,940 9,130 8,260 8,370 9,150 10,820 
			 East Midlands 8,940 7,550 7,770 7,120 7,370 7,230 
			 Eastern 8,380 8,120 8,680 8,720 9,800 10,120 
			 London 25,930 24,570 26,470 28,440 29,630 31,130 
			 South East 13,540 12,170 12,690 12,810 14,760 14,430 
			 South West 9,450 9,000 8,920 9,790 11,210 11,200 
			 West Midlands 15,510 14,670 13,970 13,210 13,860 14,600 
			 North West 14,690 13,060 12,930 12,820 13,350 13,260 
			  
			 England total 110,810 102,650 104,150 106,130 114,350 118,360 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures prior to January 1997 reflect decisions under the 1985 Housing Act; subsequent decisions are under the 1996 Housing Act, plus any residual 1985 Act cases.
	2. Totals may not equal the sum of components because of rounding.
	Source:
	ODPM P1(E) quarterly housing activity returns.

Transport Works Authorisation Branch

Don Foster: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the current applications for orders to the Transport Works Authorisation Branch of his Department, giving for each (a) the date the application was made, (b) the expected date the order will be made and (c) for what reason the order has not yet been made.

Tony McNulty: Current applications for orders under the Transport and Works Act 1992 are listed in the table. The expected date of the decision is shown, rather than that for the making of the order, because I cannot prejudge that an order will be made in any particular case.
	
		
			 Title of proposed order Date of application Expected date of decision Reason for no decision to date 
		
		
			 London International Freight Exchange (LIFE). (Two consolidated applications) (8)28 June 1999 August 2002 Inspector's report under consideration. Further information had to be sought from parties after close of inquiry. 
			 Railtrack (Thameslink 2000). (Two consolidated applications) (8)23 September 1999 Autumn 2002 Inspector's report under consideration. Major case raising complex issues. 
			 Alconbury Airfield (Rail Facilities and Connection to East Coast Main Line) 30 December 1999 Within six months of receipt of inspector's report Awaiting inspector's report. Inquiry closed 16 October 2001. 
			 Railtrack (West Coast Main Line) 29 February 2000 By January 2003 Inspector's report just received (5 July 2002). 
			 Fawley Branch Line Improvements 2 October 2000 Within six months of receipt of inspector's report Part of ongoing inquiry into proposed Dibden Bay deep water terminal. 
			 Yorkshire Marina (Bridlington) 9 October 2000 Within six months of receipt of inspector's report Inquiry continuing. 
			 Railtrack (West Coast Main Line) (No.2) 28 February 2001 Within six months of receipt of inspector's report Awaiting inspector's report. Inquiry closed 28 March 2002. 
			 Strand Road, Preston Railway 31 October 2001 August 2002 Decision being finalised. 
			 Channel Tunnel Rail Link (Thames Tunnel Approach) 9 November 2001 July 2002 Decision imminent. 
			 Greater Manchester (Leigh Busway) 31 January 2002 Within six months of receipt of inspector's report Public inquiry to open on 10 September 2002. 
			 London Gateway Logistics and Commercial Centre 14 February 2002 Within six months of receipt of inspector's report Public inquiry to be arranged. 
			 River Tyne (Tunnels) 31 May 2002 See next column Objection period continuing; procedure yet to be determined. 
			 Docklands Light Railway (Woolwich Arsenal Extension) 10 July 2002 See next column Application just received; procedure yet to be determined 
		
	
	(8) Date of amending application

Transport Works Authorisation Branch

Don Foster: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many staff work in the Transport Works Authorisation Branch of his Department.

Tony McNulty: 13.

Telecommunications Working Group

Archie Norman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the representatives of (a) the mobile phone network industry, (b) central and local government and (c) other organisations sitting on the Telecommunications Working Group.

Tony McNulty: Members of the Telecommunications Working group are:
	
		
			 Name Department/organisation 
		
		
			 Christopher Bowden Office of Deputy Prime Minister 
			 Charlotte Sewell Office of Deputy Prime Minister 
			 Jim Davies Department for Trade and Industry 
			 George Hooker Department for Health 
			 Russell Kent-Smith Radiocommunications Agency 
			 Kevin O'Dell Department for Education and Skills 
			 Peter Roberts National Assembly for Wales 
			 Lee Searles Local Government Association 
			 Gerry Ansell London borough of Waltham Forest 
			 Ian Fletcher Wycombe district council 
			 Graham Jones London borough of Harrow 
			 Phil Joyce Leeds city council 
			 John Walker City of Westminster 
			 Jane Evans Hutchison 3G 
			 Peter Foster 02 
			 Alan Freeman 02 (also Airwave) 
			 Nick Greer Vodafone 
			 Adrian Manger T Mobile 
			 Adrian Reeve Orange 
			 Saleem Shamash Crown Castle 
			 Nicole Hughes Federation of Electronic Industries 
		
	
	In addition, the following people do not attend meetings but receive and comment upon working group papers:
	
		
			 Name Department/organisation 
		
		
			 Alan Cameron Scottish Executive 
			 John Linden Department for the Environment Northern Ireland 
			 Norman Smith Health and Safety Executive

Right to Buy

Mark Oaten: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what criteria he plans to use for the redistribution of the pooled right to buy receipts from local authorities; and if they will include land value and development costs.

Tony McNulty: We will be consulting on the operation of the new arrangements for pooling a proportion of future local authority housing capital receipts shortly.

Social Services

Paul Burstow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the standard spending assessment was for each social services authority in England in each year from 1990–91 to 2001–02; and what it is projected to be for the financial year 2002–03, adjusted for inflation at current values.

Christopher Leslie: A table showing the information requested for both total SSA and personal social services SSA has been placed in the Library of the House.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

House of Commons Journal

Ian Lucas: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the House of Commons Commission is collaborating with the History of Parliament Trust and the Humanities Research Institute of the University of Sheffield in producing an electronic version of the House of Commons Journal.

Archy Kirkwood: I understand that in February 2001 the Trustees of the History of Parliament commissioned the Humanities Research Institute of the University of Sheffield to create a searchable electronic text of Volume 1 of the House of Commons Journal, covering the period 1547 to 1628. This was intended as a pilot study in digitising the contents of the early Journals of the two Houses, which are of great historical value but have hitherto suffered from lack of an adequate index. The electronic text of Volume 1, which has now been submitted to the Trustees, will be of particular use in the preparation of the 1604–1629 section of the History.
	I also understand that, as a follow-up to the pilot study, the Trust has collaborated with the Institute of Historical Research and the Victoria County History in a successful bid to the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for funding for a larger pilot project in digitisation of historical sources; this project will include the digitisation of a further volume of the Journal of this House.

History of Parliament Trust

Ian Lucas: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the size of the House of Commons Commission's grant in aid to the History of Parliament Trust for each year since 1995–96;
	(2)  if he will provide a specific grant to subsidise the retail cost of "The History of Parliament: The House of Commons 1690–1715".

Archy Kirkwood: The House of Commons Commission provides funds for the work of the History of Parliament Trust in line with the Trust's three-year financial plans and annual estimates. These plans allow for the work of the Trust to proceed at its present level of activity. Since 1999, the House of Lords has also provided support for the Trust. These grants in aid cover the whole of the Trust's running costs, and represent a significant subsidy.
	The table shows the grant in aid made to the Trust since 1995–96:
	
		Grant in aid -- £
		
			 Year House of Commons House of Lords Total 
		
		
			 1995–96 947,000 — 947,000 
			 1996–97 1,077,000 — 1,077,000 
			 1997–98 1,057,000 — 1,057,000 
			 1998–99 1,058,000 — 1,058,000 
			 1999–2000 968,000 200,000 1,168,000 
			 2000–01 1,017,000 210,000 1,227,000 
			 2001–02 1,056,500 260,000 1,316,000 
		
	
	The retail price charged for the Trust's publications represents only the cost of printing and distribution of the volumes, rather than the costs of the research, which are met by the grant in aid from the Houses of Parliament. This mechanism provides more certainty of support for the research work, while indirectly subsidising the cost of the publications. I understand that there are no plans for a specific retail price subsidy. The pricing policy has always been governed by the need to strike a balance between affordability and the need to make some financial return on sales, recognising that the great majority of sales are likely to be to institutions rather than to individuals. By the standards of academic publications, the History's volumes are reasonably priced and are affordable by university libraries, country record offices and public libraries.

Recycling

Sue Doughty: To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee 
	(1)  if she will state the total volume of paper purchased by the House in the last 12 months; what proportion of this comes from recycled sources; and what plans there are to increase this proportion;
	(2)  if she will state the (a) policy on and (b) total value and volume of the purchase and use of goods and materials from renewable or recycled sources by the House in the last 12 months; and what plans there are to (i) update the policy and (ii) increase the proportion of goods and materials used from such sources.

Marion Roe: The Administration Committee has oversight of the provisions of stationery for use by Members. The House's policy is to use recycled products where practicable and cost-effective; there are no plans to change the policy.
	The House does not keep central records of paper used by the six House Departments; but we estimate that some 80,000 reams (200 tonnes) were used during 2001–02 at a cost of approximately £1.5 million. Over 50 per cent. of the paper used was recycled and chlorine-free. Within these figures, major users were the Vote Office (9,100 reams) and the Serjeant at Arms Department (45,000 reams).
	The Serjeant at Arms Department has been providing recycled stationery to Members of Parliament for a number of years. All Members' stationery purchased through the House's central stationery contract (both paper and envelopes) is made from recycled paper. During 2001–02 approximately 162 tonnes of stationery were purchased at a cost of around £1 million. The amounts were:
	
		
			 Description Quantity Volume (tonnes) 
		
		
			 Bespoke paper (9)15,000 47 
			 Photocopier paper (9)30,000 75 
			 Envelopes 6,500,000 40 
		
	
	(9) Reams
	In 1998, on the recommendation of the Committee, recycled paper was introduced for all letterhead paper and envelopes purchased by Members of Parliament. All virgin pulp papers were withdrawn. Recycled photocopier paper has been supplied for a number of years.
	As part of the "local paper for London" scheme organised through the BioRegional Development Group, Evolve Business photocopier paper has been introduced. Members now use this paper in their parliamentary and constituency offices and in photocopiers on the parliamentary estate.
	For information on the purchase and use of other goods and materials from renewable or recycled sources, I refer the hon. Member to replies given by the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood), representing the House of Commons Commission, to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Hazel Grove (Mr. Stunell) on 11 July 2002, Official Report, columns 1116–17W.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

North Taunton Sports Centre

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps are taken to monitor the spending of grants awarded by the Sports Lottery Fund to local authorities, with specific reference to those made to the North Taunton Sports Centre.

Richard Caborn: All projects supported by the Sport England Lottery Fund are subject to compliance procedures during construction and are monitored once the project has been completed and has been operating for a year. The compliance procedures provide for payments only on receipt of invoices and architects' certificates and for retention of the final 10 per cent. of the award until completion of the project. Post completion monitoring involves a site visit by a team of architects and independent consultants where the award is greater than £500,000. This investigation assesses all aspects of the project, including the design of the facility, its management and financial viability, coaching and sports development opportunities, and the project's impact on target groups. The applicant's views on Sport England and the application process are also monitored.
	A proportion of projects receiving awards of less than £500,000 receive a site visit as follows:
	£250,000 to £500,000 75 per cent. of projects receive a site visit
	£100,000 to £250,000 50 per cent. of projects receive a site visit
	under £100,000 10 per cent. of projects receive a site visit.
	Projects which are not initially selected for a site visit receive a questionnaire. Cases where questionnaires are not returned or where the contents of a questionnaire raise concerns are followed up by further contact from, initially, the monitoring team at Sport England, and, if appropriate, with a site visit.
	Taunton Deane borough council was awarded £2,383,020 in October 1999 for the building of The Wellspring Centre (now called North Taunton Sports Centre). So far Sport England has made payments to the Council in February, June, September, October and November 2001 amounting to 90 per cent. of the award. It is aware through discussions with Taunton Deane council that completion of the project has been delayed due to problems with the original contractor but it is understood that management consultants have now been appointed by the Council and it expects the building to be completed by the end of the year.

Criminal Records Checks

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what assessment she had made of the cost to voluntary sports organisations of undertaking Criminal Records Bureau information checks; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  if she will issue guidelines to voluntary sporting organisations who lack funding to undertake Criminal Records Bureau disclosure information checks;
	(3)  what discussions she has had with voluntary organisations and non-Governmental bodies on the cost of Criminal Records Bureau disclosure information checks for volunteers; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The Department was involved in discussions on the potential costs of the Disclosure service provided by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and supported successful representations to the Home Office that fees should be waived for higher level disclosures for volunteers. The CRB has been fully operational only since 11 March 2002 so hard data on actual costs is not yet available. The CRB itself and the Child Protection in Sport Unit both provide comprehensive guidance on requesting disclosures from the CRB which can be found on their respective websites (www.crb.gov.uk and www.sportprotects.org.uk). The costs to sports organisations deploying volunteers will be minimised because a) the CRB has waived fees on higher level disclosures for volunteers and b) Umbrella Bodies, such as governing bodies, can commission disclosures on behalf of other organisations, enabling them to keep down internal administrative costs. The Department is keeping track of developments in this area through its link with the child Protection in Sport Unit (jointly funded by the NSPCC and Sport England) and other bodies.

Criminal Records Checks

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what additional funding has been made to enable sporting organisations to implement the Criminal Records Bureau disclosure information checks on the use of volunteers.

Richard Caborn: No additional funding has been made available by this Department to sporting organisations to pay for Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure information checks.

Criminal Records Checks

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what the status is of (a) referees and umpires, (b) referees' assistants, (c) match officials and (d) others who receive remuneration for their involvement in sports matches with regard to Criminal Records Bureau disclosure information checks;
	(2)  what her definition is of a volunteer for whom Criminal Records Bureau disclosure information checks are necessary.

Richard Caborn: The Home Office announced in February of last year that Standard and Enhanced Disclosures will be issued free of charge to volunteers. The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) Regulations 2002 define a volunteer as a person engaged in an activity which involves spending time, unpaid (except for travel and other approved out-of-pocket expenses), doing something which aims to benefit some third party other than or in addition to a close relative. Those persons in the categories mentioned who met the criteria for these levels of disclosure which are set out in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 and section 115 of the Police Act 1997 and whose remuneration amounted only to travel and other approved out-of-pocket expenses would, of course, be entitled to a free disclosure.

Racing Industry

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for what reasons the racing industry was charged for the acquisition of the Tote; and what account was taken of historic funding by the racing industry of the Tote when setting the sale price.

Richard Caborn: The Government have announced their intention to introduce legislation to enable them to sell the Tote to a racing trust but no sale price has yet been set. It is appropriate for a price to be paid because there is a legitimate taxpayer interest in the Tote business.

Child Protection

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent meetings she has had with Ministers in other Departments with regard to (a) child protection in sport and (b) inter-agency working on child protection in sport.

Richard Caborn: While there have been no ministerial meetings specifically on this issue recently, officials regularly discuss this important issue with colleagues in other Government Departments and other agencies. The Department is a member of the Steering Group of the Child Protection in Sport Unit which brings together stakeholders from within and outside Government to influence the unit's future direction, work and priorities.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Departmental Energy Use

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the estimated (a) level and (b) cost of energy use in her Department and associated agencies was in each year since 1997; what proportion of energy was generated from renewable sources; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 3 July 2002, Official Report, column 385–86W.

University Students (Low Income Families)

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans the Department has to ensure more young people from low-income families enter university.

Margaret Hodge: We are determined to encourage more young people from lower income backgrounds to enter higher education. Our secondary school reforms will help raise participation and attainment levels so that more young people will be eligible to benefit from HE. We have committed over £190 million over three years to the Excellence Challenge to raise aspirations and attainment of young people in some of the most deprived areas of the country. This includes making available 25,000 Opportunity Bursaries to encourage young students from low-income families into higher education. Young people in schools and FE colleges in Excellence Challenge areas will also benefit from the Aimhigher road show, which was launched earlier this year to promote higher education.

School Science Lessons

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills under what circumstances animals are killed specifically for use in school science lessons.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 8 July 2002
	Animals are principally used for whole mammal dissection purposes and may be used in nerve/muscle physiology demonstrations.
	Teachers also buy organs from butchers, for example livers from animals eaten by humans, for science lessons. There is no requirement in the national curriculum for dissection to be carried out, although individual teachers may choose to use dissection to illustrate various aspects of the science curriculum. In the Key Stage 3 schemes of work which have been published recently by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, organ dissection is suggested as one of a range of possible teaching activities in some contexts.
	Where dissection is used, teachers must always take account of potential threats to the well-being of pupils, particularly in relation to health and safety, religious or ethnic background and individual sensitivities.

National Child Care Strategy

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to the answer of 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 1057W, on the National Child Care Strategy, if she will break the figures down by London borough.

Margaret Hodge: The available information is shown in tables 1, 2 and 3. Figures for new child care places were first collected at a local authority level from April 1999. Between April 1997 and December 2001, some 66,600 new child care places were created in London helping 122,000 1 children. Of these places, 9,784 places helping 18,379 children were created between April 1997 and March 1999.
	The available information is shown in tables 1 and 2 and 3.
	
		Table 1: New child care places and children helped in London between April 1999 and December 2001
		
			 London borough New places Children helped 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 1,283 2,378 
			 Barnet 3,314 5,961 
			 Bexley 1,906 3,352 
			 Brent 2,145 3,927 
			 Bromley 2,496 4,526 
			 Camden 1,463 2,665 
			 City of London 614 1,204 
			 Croydon 2,460 4,332 
			 Ealing 2,847 5,027 
			 Enfield 2,013 3,495 
			 Greenwich 2,832 5,505 
			 Hackney 1,641 2,981 
			
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 1,556 3,001 
			 Haringey 2,591 4,726 
			 Harrow 887 1,624 
			 Havering 599 1,096 
			 Hillingdon 2,112 3,663 
			 Hounslow 915 1,655 
			 Islington 1,484 2,635 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 682 1,252 
			 Kingston upon Thames 1,709 3,039 
			 Lambeth 2,971 5,609 
			 Lewisham 840 1,530 
			 Merton 893 1,598 
			 Newham 1,850 3,438 
			 Redbridge 1,035 1,932 
			 Richmond upon Thames 1,823 3,278 
			 Southwark 2,612 4,845 
			 Sutton 1,631 3,003 
			 Tower Hamlets 691 1,179 
			 Waltham Forest 2,210 4,144 
			 Wandsworth 986 1,813 
			 Westminster 1,716 3,190 
			  
			 Total 56,807 103,594 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Child care grant funding for 2002–03 -- £
		
			 London borough Total revenue allocation 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 427,080 
			 Barnet 673,750 
			 Bexley 480,940 
			 Brent 574,580 
			 Bromley 570,250 
			 Camden 420,020 
			 City of London 143,600 
			 Croydon 705,260 
			 Ealing 647,610 
			 Enfield 613,560 
			 Greenwich 561,600 
			 Hackney 557,520 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 371,240 
			 Haringey 541,380 
			 Harrow 456,060 
			 Havering 460,180 
			 Hillingdon 528,420 
			 Hounslow 486,380 
			 Islington 439,030 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 368,240 
			 Kingston upon Thames 337,330 
			 Lambeth 637,910 
			 Lewisham 594,300 
			 Merton 408,230 
			 Newham 719,300 
			 Redbridge 511,050 
			 Richmond upon Thames 383,220 
			 Southwark 614,800 
			 Sutton 395,700 
			 Tower Hamlets 584,740 
			 Waltham Forest 545,650 
			 Wandsworth 511,240 
			 Westminster 422,750 
			 Total 16,692,920 
		
	
	
		Table 3
		
			 Borough Total DfES revenue allocation (£) Total capital allocation (£) Total place target 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 1,780,019 746,400 400 
			 Barnet 341,047 149,280 80 
			 Bexley 1,015,621 429,180 230 
			 Brent 1,556,801 653,100 350 
			 Bromley 626,913 261,240 140 
			 Camden 1,346,621 578,460 310 
			 City of London 0 0 0 
			 Croydon 1,028,205 447,840 240 
			 Ealing 1,465,426 615,780 330 
			 Enfield 1,513,531 634,440 340 
			 Greenwich 2,001,326 839,700 450 
			 Hackney 2,441,802 1,026,300 550 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 1,022,584 429,180 230 
			 Haringey 1,967,046 839,700 450 
			 Harrow 0 0 0 
			 Havering 888,725 373,200 200 
			 Hillingdon 288,675 130,620 70 
			 Hounslow 957,287 410,520 220 
			 Islington 1,868,253 783,720 420 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 936,490 391,860 210 
			 Kingston upon Thames 0 0 0 
			 Lambeth 2,188,580 933,000 500 
			 Lewisham 1,966,147 839,700 450 
			 Merton 292,385 130,620 70 
			 Newham 2,530,851 1,082,280 580 
			 Redbridge 1,092,386 466,500 250 
			 Richmond upon Thames 0 0 0 
			 Southwark 2,301,424 970,320 520 
			 Sutton 582,176 242,580 130 
			 Tower Hamlets 2,375,606 1,007,640 540 
			 Waltham Forest 1,853,303 783,720 420 
			 Wandsworth 617,139 261,240 140 
			 Westminster 1,055,181 447,840 240 
			  
			 Total 39,901,550 16,905,960 9,060 
		
	
	(10) The figure of 122,000 quoted in the earlier answer refers to number of children helped by new places rather than the number of new places created.

EU Schools Materials

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she has had on the (a) development and (b) use of EU-funded Socrates material in schools.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 9 July 2002
	The material produced in the Socrates programme is a matter for the participants, working within the parameters of the programme, and the Department is not involved in its development, or in consultation on its use.
	Schools are free to use any material in their teaching, subject to Section 407 of the Education Act 1996. This article requires school governing bodies, head teachers and local education authorities to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure that where political or controversial issues are brought to pupils' attention, they are offered a balanced presentation of opposing views.

School Admissions

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many first preferences for (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools were not met in the last five years in (i) Boston and Skegness, (ii) Lincolnshire and (iii) England.

David Miliband: My Department does not collect this information.

Morley and Rothwell

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students from Morley and Rothwell have their tuition fees paid for them (a) in full, (b) in part and (c) not at all since 1997.

Margaret Hodge: Data on tuition fees for the constituency of Morley and Rothwell are not collected centrally.

Morley and Rothwell

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students in Morley and Rothwell (a) receive full or part entitlement to Education Maintenance Allowance and (b) how that compares to other pilot areas.

Margaret Hodge: We do not ask the local education authorities who administer the EMA scheme to classify recipients by constituency. However, 4,624 young people in Leeds have received an allowance in this academic year. Of these, 2,579 (56 per cent.) received the full allowance and 2,045 (44 per cent.) received a part allowance. Recently published evaluation reports show that the average proportion of EMA recipients across the 56 pilot areas receiving the full allowance is 63 per cent.

Graduate Teacher Programme

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she has had with the TTA on the reduction in the number of designated recommending bodies for the graduate teacher programme; and if she will make a statement.

David Miliband: My right hon. Friend has held no such discussions with the Teacher Training Agency. The agency announced the creation of the first 80 designated recommending bodies on 24 June. There has consequently been no reduction in their number, and at least as many trainees are expected to enter the Graduate Teacher Programme next year as did so in 2001–02.

Teacher Vacancies

Iain Coleman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teacher vacancies there are in each (a) Government office region and (b) local education authority.

David Miliband: The tables show provisional vacancy numbers by region for January 2002 and final vacancy numbers by local education authority for January 2001. Figures are not yet available for 2002 at local education authority level.
	
		Vacancy(11) numbers in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools in England by Government office region: January 2002
		
			 Government office region 2002(12) 
		
		
			 North East 140 
			 North West 320 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 370 
			 East Midlands 270 
			 West Midlands 470 
			 East of England 680 
			 London 1,320 
			 South East 770 
			 South West 170 
			  
			 Total vacancies 4,480 
		
	
	(11) Advertised vacancies for full-time permanent appointments (or appointments of at least one term's duration). Includes vacancies being filled on a temporary basis of less than one term.
	(12) Provisional.
	
		Vacancy numbers in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools by LEA(13) and Government office region: January 2001
		
			  Number of vacancies 
		
		
			 North East  
			 Gateshead 6 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 19 
			 North Tyneside 14 
			 South Tyneside 0 
			 Sunderland 20 
			 Hartlepool 5 
			 Middlesbrough 20 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 18 
			 Stockton on Tees 15 
			 Darlington 8 
			 Durham 37 
			 Northumberland 0 
			 Total 162 
			   
			 North West  
			 Cumbria 6 
			 Cheshire 25 
			 Halton 6 
			 Warrington 11 
			 Bolton 7 
			 Bury 4 
			 Manchester 0 
			 Oldham 16 
			 Rochdale 5 
			 Salford 4 
			 Stockport 25 
			 Tameside 23 
			 Trafford 0 
			 Wigan 11 
			 Lancashire 61 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 19 
			 Blackpool 5 
			 Knowsley 12 
			 Liverpool 0 
			 St. Helens 8 
			 Sefton 15 
			 Wirral 20 
			 Total 283 
			   
			 Yorkshire and the Humber  
			 Kingston-Upon-Hull, City of 8 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 6 
			 North East Lincolnshire 20 
			 North Lincolnshire 10 
			 North Yorkshire 12 
			 York 6 
			 Barnsley 20 
			 Doncaster 10 
			 Rotherham 1 
			 Sheffield 14 
			 Bradford 0 
			 Calderdale 7 
			 Kirklees 10 
			 Leeds 47 
			 Wakefield 14 
			 Total 185 
			   
			 East Midlands  
			 Derbyshire 45 
			 Derby 16 
			 Leicestershire 30 
			 Leicester 42 
			 Rutland 0 
			 Lincolnshire 20 
			
			 Northamptonshire 20 
			 Nottingham 41 
			 Total 214 
			   
			 West Midlands  
			 Herefordshire 18 
			 Worcestershire 8 
			 Shropshire 4 
			 Telford and Wrekin 5 
			 Staffordshire 40 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 20 
			 Warwickshire 42 
			 Birmingham 83 
			 Coventry 24 
			 Dudley 28 
			 Sandwell 49 
			 Solihull 32 
			 Walsall 17 
			 Wolverhampton 32 
			 Total 402 
			   
			 East of England  
			 Cambridgeshire 3 
			 Peterborough 7 
			 Norfolk 71 
			 Suffolk 89 
			 Bedfordshire 76 
			 Luton 63 
			 Essex 220 
			 Southend-on-Sea 24 
			 Thurrock 69 
			 Hertfordshire 50 
			 Total 672 
			   
			 London  
			 City of London 0 
			 Camden 59 
			 Greenwich 63 
			 Hackney 101 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 49 
			 Islington 56 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 36 
			 Lambeth 51 
			 Lewisham 71 
			 Southwark 100 
			 Tower Hamlets 157 
			 Wandsworth 53 
			 Westminster 49 
			 Barking and Dagenham 24 
			 Barnet 100 
			 Bexley 85 
			 Brent 23 
			 Bromley 63 
			 Croydon 77 
			 Ealing 66 
			 Enfield 65 
			 Haringey 43 
			 Harrow 58 
			 Havering 38 
			 Hillingdon 52 
			 Hounslow 18 
			 Kingston upon Thames 23 
			 Merton 18 
			 Newham 103 
			 Redbridge 40 
			 Richmond upon Thames 30 
			 Sutton 10 
			 Waltham Forest 7 
			 Total 1,788 
			
			 South East  
			 Bracknell Forest 16 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 34 
			 West Berkshire 10 
			 Reading 37 
			 Slough 62 
			 Wokingham 18 
			 Buckinghamshire 59 
			 Milton Keynes 21 
			 East Sussex 43 
			 Brighton and Hove 17 
			 Hampshire 175 
			 Portsmouth 59 
			 Southampton 50 
			 Isle of Wight 7 
			 Kent 196 
			 Medway 51 
			 Oxfordshire 16 
			 Surrey 104 
			 West Sussex 82 
			 Total 1,057 
			   
			 South West  
			 Isles of Scilly 0 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 9 
			 City of Bristol 25 
			 North Somerset 7 
			 South Gloucestershire 7 
			 Cornwall 0 
			 Devon 47 
			 Plymouth 1 
			 Torbay 9 
			 Dorset 18 
			 Poole 19 
			 Bournemouth 7 
			 Gloucestershire 14 
			 Somerset 11 
			 Wiltshire 19 
			 Swindon 20 
			 Total 213 
			 England total 4,976 
		
	
	(13) Advertised vacancies for full-time permanent appointments (or appointments of at least one term's duration). Includes vacancies being filled on a temporary basis of less than one term.
	Source:
	DfES annual 618G survey.

Child Care (Regulation)

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many professional staff she estimates need to be transferred from local authorities to Ofsted as a result of the transfer of responsibility for the regulation of child care to Ofsted.

Margaret Hodge: In September 2001, 1,431 staff transferred from local authorities to the Office for Standards in Education. No further transfers are envisaged.

Public Consultations

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the length was of each public consultation undertaken by her Department since 8 June 2001.

Estelle Morris: The following table provides a list of written consultations with the public carried out by this Department since 8 June 2001 including the duration of each consultation. The Department has complied with the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultation in each case, applying exemptions where appropriate.
	
		
			 Title of consultation Start date End date Duration (in days) 
		
		
			 Teachers' Professional Development—Standards Framework Consultation 11 June 2001 20 July 2001 39 
			 
			 Teachers' Professional Development Division—Development Portfolio Consultation 11 June 2001 20 July 2001 39 
			 
			 Consultation on Professional Duties of Advanced Skills Teachers 26 June 2001 21 August 2001 56 
			 
			 July European Commission Memorandum on Lifelong Learning 26 June 2001 28 September 2001 94 
			 
			 Education Development Plans from 2002—Consultation on draft guidance 27 June 2001 19 September 2001 84 
			 
			 Consultation on Extending the Use of Parenting Orders 9 July 2001 9 October 2001 92 
			 
			 Inspection of Local Education Authorities 11 July 2001 11 October 2001 92 
			 
			 Employment of Teachers who have successfully completed their course of teacher training but have not passed their skills test 24 July 2001 8 August 2001 15 
			 
			 Standards for the awards of qualified teacher status—initial teacher training 26 July 2001 2 November 2001 99 
			 
			 Consultation on Inspection arrangements—initial teacher training 2002–03 26 July 2001 2 November 2001 99 
			 
			 Draft Regulations Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 as Amended by the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 30 July 2001 22 October 2001 84 
			 
			 The Way Forward—A Modernised Framework for School Governance 5 September 2001 7 November 2001 63 
			 
			 Better Beginnings—Improving quality and increasing provision in early years education and childcare 5 September 2001 7 November 2001 63 
			 
			 Consultation on School Admissions 5 September 2001 7 November 2001 63 
			 
			 Consultation on Exclusion Appeal Panels 5 September 2001 7 November 2001 63 
			 
			 Registration and Monitoring of Independent Schools 5 September 2001 9 November 2001 65 
			 
			 Schools Achieving Success 5 September 2001 7 November 2001 63 
			 
			 Improving inspection, improving schools 10 September 2001 10 November 2001 61 
			 
			 Consultation on targets for English and mathematics at Key Stage 2 in 2004 18 September 2001 14 December 2001 87 
			 
			 16–19 Organisation and Inspection: A consultation document 24 September 2001 7 November 2001 44 
			 
			 Expert support for the development of Foundation Stage Practice 5 October 2001 28 December 2001 84 
			 
			 City Academies: Arrangements for Pupils with SEN and Disabilities 8 October 2001 29 December 2001 82 
			 
			 Consultation on Proposals arising from the Treasury Review of teachers' Ill Health Retirement 2 November 2001 25 January 2002 84 
			 
			 Excellence Fellowship Awards 6 November 2001 14 December 2001 38 
			 
			 Teachers' Pay Reform—Performance Pay Progression Grant 23 November 2001 4 January 2002 42 
			 
			 Building a Strategy for Children and Young People 25 November 2001 1 March 2002 96 
			 
			 Consultation on Review of Learning Partnerships 17 December 2001 16 February 2002 61 
			 
			 Consultation on Review of Arts and Humanities Research Funding 18 December 2001 2 February 2002 46 
			 
			 Quinquennial Review of Investors in People UK 1 January 2002 28 February 2002 58 
			 
			 Consultation on Accessible Schools: Planning to increase access to schools for disabled pupils 14 January 2002 25 March 2002 70 
			 
			 Revised Guidance on Exclusion from School—Draft for Consultation 24 January 2002 19 April 2002 85 
			 
			 Quinquennial Review of Qualifications and Curriculum Authority 1 February 2002 15 March 2002 42 
			 
			 Consultation on Raising Standards—Training and Development for Leaders and Managers 4 February 2002 1 May 2002 86 
			 
			 14–19: Extending Opportunities, Raising Standards 12 February 2002 31 May 2002 108 
			
			 National Centre for Excellence in Science Teaching 18 February 2002 8 May 2002 79 
			 
			 The Adult Common Basic Data Set 25 February 2002 17 May 2002 81 
			 
			 Early Years and Childcare Regulations 27 February 2002 24 May 2002 86 
			 
			 14–19: Extending Opportunities, Raising Standards: A Summary 1 March 2002 31 May 2002 91 
			 
			 Investors in Children Consultation Paper 14 March 2002 6 June 2002 84 
			 
			 Proposals to introduce a mandatory requirement for first-time headteachers to hold the (NPQH) 15 March 2002 28 June 2002 105 
			 
			 Consultation on Publication of School and College Performance Tables in 2002 19 March 2002 24 May 2002 66 
			 
			 Electronic Communications in Education: an Order under the Electronic Communications Act 2000 8 May 2002 31 July 2002 84 
			 
			 STRB report on teacher workload 8 May 2002 3 July 2002 56 
			 
			 Performance Pay Progression: Reconsultation on Revised Special Grant Report 14 May 2002 13 June 2002 30 
			 
			 Together From the Start—Practical guidance for professionals working with disabled children (birth to 2) and their families 28 May 2002 23 September 2002 118 
			 
			 Developing Early Intervention/Support Services for Deaf Children and their Families 28 May 2002 23 September 2002 118 
			 
			 Department for Education and Skills—Race Equality Scheme: Draft Consultation May 2002 31 May 2002 30 August 2002 91 
			 
			 Supporting the cost of home-based childcare 7 June 2002 30 August 2002 84 
			 
			 Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications 1 July 2002 30 September 2002 91

TREASURY

Regeneration Funding

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money was allocated to reviving (a) coalfield communities, (b) steel communities, (c) rural communities, (d) inner-city areas and (e) seaside towns in each of the last 10 years.

Paul Boateng: holding answer 11 July 2002
	A large number of different funding sources support the revival of vulnerable communities and it is not possible to provide the information in the form requested. However, our strong record on support for these types of communities includes:
	coalfield regeneration by English Partnerships of £385 million over 10 years to 2006–07;
	Coalfield Regeneration Trust of £90 million over seven years to 2004–05;
	£60 million since 2000–01 on rural programmes by the Countryside Agency;
	some £120 million of support from the Regional Development Agencies for rural development and communities;
	New Deal for Communities partnerships will receive £2 billion over 10 years;
	Neighbourhood Renewal Fund is £900 million over three years; and
	Single Regeneration Budget partnerships that cover coastal areas have been allocated some £440 million since 1995.
	Regeneration programmes in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in devolved areas are a matter for their devolved Administrations.

Equity Shares

Peter Lilley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the real rate of return on equity shares quoted on the London stock exchange has been since 1 May 1997.

Ruth Kelly: Between 1 May 1997 and 30 June 2002, the total real return for the FTSE Index was 6.2 per cent. The total real return from the All-Share Index over the same period was 7.7 per cent.

Ministerial Salaries

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the annual cost was of ministerial salaries in his Department in (a) 1997–98 and (b) 2001–02.

Ruth Kelly: The level of ministerial salaries are recommended by the Senior Salaries Review Body. All details are already published.
	From May 1997, in this Department there was the First Lord of the Treasury on an annual salary of £58,557; two Cabinet Ministers at an annual salary of £43,991; two Ministers of State, one at an annual salary of £31,125 and one unpaid; one Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, at an annual salary of £23,623. In addition, there was also a Chief Whip for the House of Commons at an annual salary of £36,613, a Deputy Chief Whip at an annual salary of £31,125 and 14 Government and Assistant Government Whips at an annual salary of £20,029. There was also Chief Whip for the House of Lords at an annual salary of £51,838, a Deputy Chief Whip at an annual salary of £43,632 and a further five Lords in Waiting at an annual salary of £39,462.
	From June 2001, in this Department there was the First Lord of the Treasury on an annual salary of £113,596; two Cabinet Ministers at an annual salary of £68,157; two Ministers of State, at an annual salary of £35,356; one Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, at an annual salary of £26,835. In addition, there was also a Chief Whip for the House of Commons at an annual salary of £68,157, a Deputy Chief Whip at an annual salary of £35,356 and 14 Government and Assistant Government Whips at an annual salary of £22,753. There was also a Chief Whip for the House of Lords at an annual salary of £68,283, a Deputy Chief Whip at an annual salary of £59,961 and a further five Lords in Waiting at an annual salary of £54,224.

Inflation

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what investigation National Statistics is making into evidence of appreciable differences in inflation rates between regions; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 15 July 2002
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question on what investigation National Statistics is making of evidence of appreciable differences in inflation rates between regions. I am replying in his absence. (69245)
	There is currently no official research being conducted into the differences in inflation rates between regions. The data required to make such calculations to an appropriate degree of accuracy are not currently available to National Statistics from either the national Retail Price Index (RPI) or other official sources.

Exchange Rates

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate he has made of the effect on the UK economy of long-term exchange rate stability.

Ruth Kelly: It is difficult to separate the effect of exchange rate movements on the economy from the effects of other factors. The most recent assessment of the UK economy was published in Budget 2002, and the next assessment will be published in PBR 2002.

Consumer Complaints

Brian White: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what actions are available to consumers when the FSA and PIA Ombudsman bureau do not take action on their individual grievance.

Ruth Kelly: Firms that have been authorised by the FSA are required to have their own internal complaints arrangements for their customers. Where a firm is unable to resolve a complaint itself, the customer can pursue the complaint with the Financial Ombudsman Service, which replaced the PIA Ombudsman Bureau on 1 December 2001. An ombudsman's decision is binding on the firm if the customer accepts it. If the FOS is not able to resolve the complaint to the customer's satisfaction, this does not affect the customer's legal rights to go to court.

Software

Brian White: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is towards using open source software; and what percentage is used in his Department.

Ruth Kelly: It is planned to publish the Government's policy for open source software in summer 2002. The draft policy was made available for consultation from December 2001 until 12 March 2002.
	The Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise and the Treasury use of open source software will follow the Government policy when it is published. The policy references the European Commission's initiative "eEurope—An Information Society for all".
	At present there is minimal use of open source software in the Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise and Treasury although the new technical architectures in IR and C7E are substantially compliant with the e-Government Interoperability Framework (e-GIF) which mandates open standards and specifications.
	The policy of all three Departments is to select the most appropriate software to support its business needs taking account of functionality, cost, reliability and ease of support. IT procurements will include open source software solutions alongside proprietary ones.
	The draft Government policy can be viewed at http:// www.govtalk.gov.uk/rfc/rfc_document.asp?docnum=429

National Statistics Code of Practice

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to (a) publish and (b) implement the final version of the National Statistics Code of Practice; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 15 July 2002
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on when the National Statistics Code of Practice is expected to be published and implemented. (69243)
	I published my first draft of the Code of Practice in December 2001 to mark the start of a three-month public consultation. I will submit my proposals for final publication within a month. These will reflect both the broad level of support received for the first draft, as well as more detailed suggestions for change.

PISA 2000

Nick Gibb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if pupils in a pupil referral unit (a) were eligible for selection for PISA 2000 from their original school and (b) permitted by their original school to sit the test.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Nick Gibb, dated 15 July 2002
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning if pupils in a pupil referral unit (a) were eligible for selection for PISA 2000 from their original school and (b) if selected, permitted by their original school to sit the test. (69992)
	The rules for school and student level exclusions in PISA are published in Appendix A of the ONS report, published in May 2002: Student Achievement in England-Results in reading, mathematical and scientific literacy among 15-year-olds from the OECD PISA 2000 study and will be more fully treated in the OECD Technical Report on PISA.
	The report is available free at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/ statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=8169&More=N

PISA 2000

Nick Gibb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures were undertaken to ensure that the list of pupils provided by the schools selected for the PISA 2000 survey was the full list.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Nick Gibb, dated 15 July 2002
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning what measures were undertaken to ensure that the list of pupils provided by the schools selected for the PISA 2000 survey was the full list. (70010)
	The sampling frame contained information on the numbers of students in a school who were within scope for PISA. Where the list provided differed significantly from the number expected this was investigated with individual schools. All sampling procedures were subject to approval by the international sampling referees.
	The report on PISA is available free at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/ statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=8169&More=N.

PISA 2000

Nick Gibb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will break down the figure of 927 into refusals and absentees in the PISA 2000 survey.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Nick Gibb, dated 15 July 2002
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if the figure of 927 for refusals and absentees in the PISA 2000 survey could be broken down. (70011).
	The information requested is currently unavailable. I will write to you in the near future.

PISA 2000

Nick Gibb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will break down the figure of 233 pupils in the category labelled left/no longer attending school or exempt from PISA between (a) left/no longer attending and (b) exempt from PISA.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Nick Gibb, dated 15 July 2002
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if the 233 figure of pupils in the category labelled left/no longer attending school or exempt from PISA between (a) left/no longer attending and (b) exempt from PISA could be broken down. (69993)
	The information requested is currently unavailable. I will write to you in the near future.

Employment Statistics

Colin Challen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the number of jobs that have been created over the past six years in (a) Leeds, (b) Yorkshire and the Humber and (c) London expressed as a percentage of the work force in each of those areas.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Colin Challen, dated 15 July 2002
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the number of jobs created in Leeds, Yorkshire and the Humber and London. (69949)
	There are no figures for job gains or job losses but an indication can be obtained by comparing the annual surveys of employee jobs. The latest available figures are from the 2000 Annual Business Inquiry. The 2001 results are due to be published in December 2002. No annual survey was undertaken in 1994 so the 1995 Annual Employment Survey has been used. The percentages requested are as follows:
	
		Number of jobs created in Leeds, Yorkshire and the Humber -- and London
		
			  Area Net percentage change between 1995 and 2000 
		
		
			 Leeds 7.6 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 6.5 
			 London 17.4

Sterling Coin Types

Frank Roy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's plans are for dealing with the sterling coin types that will be withdrawn in the next five years.

Ruth Kelly: There are no current plans to withdraw any UK coins.

Investor Confidence

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to raise investor confidence in the stock market.

Ruth Kelly: The Government are committed to securing macroeconomic and financial stability. This is the best long-term basis for promoting investor and business confidence.
	The Government have also reformed the regulation of the financial sector by establishing the Financial Services Authority (FSA) as the single, independent regulator, and introduced a new framework which brings together the FSA, the Bank of England, and the Treasury, to pursue financial stability.
	The Government have established a joint DTI-Treasury chaired group to co-ordinate the analysis of and response to the auditing and accounting issues raised by recent US corporate failures.

Basic Bank Accounts

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of his reply to the letter from the FSA Consumer Panel on their report into basic bank accounts.

Ruth Kelly: Colin Brown, chairman of the Financial Services Consumer Panel, wrote to me on the subject of basic bank accounts and enclosed the panel's research on 23 April this year. I have placed a copy of my reply, dated 16 May, in the Commons Library.

Private Companies (Grants)

Don Foster: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which private companies received grants over £1 million from his Department in each of the last three years, indicating the (a) amount and (b) purpose.

Ruth Kelly: HM Treasury has not made any grants to private companies in the last three years.

Devolved Administrations

Barbara Follett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the funding rules for the devolved administrations applied in the 2002 Spending Review.

Paul Boateng: Copies of the updated Statement of Funding Policy, which sets out the funding arrangements for the devolved administrations, have today been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

LIFE Instrument

Angus Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the EU Committee on the Financial Instrument for the Environment is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: I have been asked to reply.
	The Financial Instrument for the Environment, commonly known as the "LIFE Instrument", provides co-financing for actions both in nature conservation (LIFE-Nature) and in other fields of the environment (LIFE-Environment), as well as specific environmental actions outside the EU (LIFE Third Countries).
	Decisions on funding of projects submitted under the LIFE Nature component are made by the European Commission with the assistance of the Habitats Committee. The Habitats Committee is next due to meet at a date to be arranged in November 2002. UK representation ordinarily consists of an official from my Department together with a scientific adviser from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. However, wider representation on the Committee depends on the agenda items under discussion. Officials from the Scottish Executive attend as necessary in accordance with their interests and have attended all recent Habitats Committee meetings. The Scottish Executive is kept fully informed of developments and has the opportunity to make an assessment of all projects involving Scottish participation.
	Decisions on funding of projects submitted under the LIFE-Environment and LIFE Third Countries components are made by the European Commission with the assistance of the LIFE Committee. This Committee is next due to meet at a date to be arranged in early 2003. UK representation ordinarily consists of an official from my Department. However, officials from the Scottish Executive have attended as necessary in accordance with their interests, most recently in February 2002. The Scottish Executive is kept fully informed of developments and has the opportunity to make an assessment of all projects involving Scottish participation.

Customs and Excise

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will list the custom houses in the south of England; on what date each opened; and how many staff are based in each;
	(2)  what plans he has to (a) reorganise and (b) close custom houses in the south of England; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  if he will list the custom houses in the south of England which have closed since 1997; when each (a) opened and (b) closed; and how many staff were based in each in that year.

John Healey: holding answer 8 July 2002
	Only a small proportion of existing Customs and Excise properties are known as Custom Houses. The name is usually an historical one and does not relate to the specific functions carried out in the buildings.
	Custom Houses in the South of England are located at Avonmouth, Falmouth, Gravesend, Heathrow, Isles of Scilly, London, Newhaven, Plymouth and Shoreham.
	I regret that information on the dates they opened, and on buildings that have been closed in the last five years, is not readily available.
	Customs and Excise keep their accommodation under constant review to ensure that it continues to meet their operational needs and is organised in the most cost- effective way. Of the Custom Houses listed above the only ones where plans for change are under active consideration are Falmouth, where the lease is due to expire, and the Isles of Scilly, following the proposed withdrawal of the Customs permanent presence there in September.
	We do not provide information on staffing levels at specific locations for the reasons given in my reply to the hon. Member of 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 837W.

Conception Statistics

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) conceptions, (b) maternities and (c) abortions have been recorded for girls (i) over 16 and (ii) in each age cohort under 16.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Andrew Turner, dated 15 July 2002
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many (a) conceptions (b) maternities and (c) abortions have been recorded in each year since 1992 for girls (i) under 16 and (ii) in each age cohort under 16. (69004)
	Figures based on conceptions occurring in 1992–2000 to girls aged under 16 are shown in the attached table.
	
		Conceptions at ages under 16 by outcome, age cohort and year of occurrence 1992–2000 England and Wales
		
			 Age cohort—year of birth/ Conceptions leading to:  Year of conception 199219931994199519961997199819992000(14) 
		
		
			 1976  
			 Maternity (15)1,663 (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— 
			 Abortion (15)1,340 (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— 
			 All conceptions (15)3,003 (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— 
			   
			 1977  
			 Maternity 1,604 (15)1,565 (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— 
			 Abortion 1,575 (15)1,352 (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— 
			 All conceptions 3,179 (15)2,917 (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— 
			   
			 1978  
			 Maternity 375 1,611 (15)1,627 (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— 
			 Abortion 509 1,636 (15)1,404 (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— 
			 All conceptions 884 3,247 (15)3,031 (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— 
			   
			 1979  
			 Maternity 61 402 1,758 (15)1,808 (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— 
			 Abortion 80 561 1,814 (15)1,424 (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— 
			 All conceptions 141 963 3,572 (15)3,232 (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— 
			   
			 1980  
			 Maternity (16)— 55 409 1,922 (15)2,072 (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— 
			 Abortion (16)— 71 607 1,787 (15)1,713 (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— 
			 All conceptions (16)— 126 1,016 3,709 (15)3,785 (15)— (15)— (15)— (15)— 
			   
			 1981  
			 Maternity (16)— 10 72 435 1,916 (15)1,828 (15)— (15)— (15)— 
			 Abortion (16)— 4 86 525 1,923 (15)1,557 (15)— (15)— (15)— 
			 All conceptions (16)— 14 158 960 3,839 (15)3,385 (15)— (15)— (15)— 
			   
			 1982  
			 Maternity (16)— (16)— (16)— 45 432 1,885 (15)1,798 (15)— (15)— 
			 Abortion (16)— (16)— (16)— 86 615 1,891 (15)1,680 (15)— (15)— 
			 All conceptions (16)— (16)— (16)— 131 1,047 3,776 (15)3,478 (15)— (15)— 
			   
			 1983  
			 Maternity (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 71 376 1,749 (15)1,600 (15)— 
			 Abortion (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 98 558 2,031 (15)1,565 (15)— 
			 All conceptions (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 169 934 3,780 (15)3,165 (15)— 
			   
			 1984  
			 Maternity (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 69 402 1,680 1,655 
			 Abortion (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 94 613 1,953 1,714 
			 All conceptions (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 163 1,015 3,633 3,396 
			   
			 1985  
			 Maternity (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 67 404 1,604 
			 Abortion (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 91 586 1,989 
			 All conceptions (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 158 990 3,593 
			   
			 1986  
			 Maternity (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 57 394 
			 Abortion (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 70 567 
			 All conceptions (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (15)— 17 127 961 
			   
			 1987  
			 Maternity (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 58 
			 Abortions (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 76 
			 All conceptions (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (15)— 4 20 134 
			   
			 1988  
			 Maternity (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 5 
			 Abortion (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 7 
			 All conceptions (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 6 12 
			   
			 1989  
			 Maternity (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 4 (16)— 
			 Abortion (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 
			 All conceptions (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 4 13 
			
			 1990  
			 Maternity (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 
			 Abortion (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 
			 All conceptions (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 
			   
			 1991  
			 Maternity (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 
			 Abortion (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 
			 All conceptions (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— (16)— 
			   
			  All conceptions at ages under 16
			 Maternity 3,707 3,643 3,875 4,218 4,498 4,164 4,023 3,762 3,729 
			 Abortion 3,510 3,624 3,920 3,833 4,359 4,107 4,429 4,183 4,382 
			 All conceptions 7,217 7,267 7,795 8,051 8,857 8,271 8,452 7,945 8,111 
		
	
	(14) Figures for 2000 are provisional.
	(15) Any conceptions at ages 16 or over are excluded from the figures presented.
	(16) Figure suppressed to prevent disclosure of counts of three or less.

Development Assistance

John Barrett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will produce a timetable for raising UK official development assistance to the UN target of 0.7 per cent. of GNP.

John Healey: The Government remain fully committed to the UN 0.7 per cent. oda/GNI target. The Chancellor announced in the Spending Review that UK official development assistance as a proportion of Gross National Income will rise to 0.40 per cent. in 2005–06, from a level of 0.33 per cent. in 2003–04 and 0.26 per cent. in 1997, taking the ratio to its highest level since 1981. As a result, the UK will exceed the average EU target for oda/GNI of 0.39 per cent. by 2005–06 and be more than double the current G7 country oda/GNI average of 0.18 per cent. and current OECD ratio of 0.22 per cent.
	The UK will continue to use international meetings, such as G7/8 meetings, and bilateral meetings to encourage other partners to follow our lead.

Global Poverty

Ben Chapman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the steps he is taking to reduce global poverty.

John Healey: In recent months, the UK Government have been at the forefront of efforts to mobilise the international community to tackle global poverty by promoting a global new deal between developed and developing countries—a new development compact building the foundations for a virtuous circle of debt relief, poverty reduction and sustainable development.
	This effort focused on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including halving the proportion of people living in extreme poverty, ensuring all children can attend school, and dramatically reducing child and maternal mortality rates.
	Pledges from the US and the EU made at Monterrey in March will, from 2006, raise an extra $12 billion each year for achieving the MDGs with—following the G8 summit in Kananaskis in June—possibly half or more of these funds going to Africa.
	Furthermore, following the outcomes of the Spending Review 2002, announced by the Chancellor today, the UK has increased its aid commitments to developing countries from 0.33 per cent. of national income in 2002–03 to 0.4 per cent. by 2005–06. This is the largest ever rise in UK aid, and a 93 per cent. real terms increase since 1997, which makes clear the Government's commitment to the United Nations 0.7 per cent. target. The increase means the UK's aid to national income ratio will be more than double the current G7 country average, and far ahead of the current OECD average of 0.22 per cent. In addition, the Department for International Development has announced, for the first time, a £1 billion annual bilateral programme for Africa by 2005–06.
	On debt relief an extra $6 billion is being provided so far this year—taking the total to $62 billion across 26 HIPCs. At the G8 summit, leaders agreed to fund the financial shortfall in the HIPC Initiative, pledging an extra $1 billion. In return for good governance, prudent new borrowing and sound debt management, the G8 will take action to secure the participation of all creditors, and ensure a robust exit from debt.
	The UK Government have endorsed the World bank's education fast tracking initiative, launched in May 2002, which provides the first focused financing framework for achieving the Education for All goals. In addition, at the G8 summit in June, Heads of Government agreed to increase significantly bilateral assistance for countries that have demonstrated a strong and credible policy and financial commitment to these goals. In the coming months the UK will work to take forward this agreement and urge other donor Governments and the multilateral development banks to join our renewed effort to ensure that, by 2015, every child can go to school.
	Just as the UK Government are committed to significantly increasing investments in education, so too we should accelerate support to build universal and equitable health care systems. The UK is encouraging the World bank, UN agencies and other donors to work together to ensure that developing countries with credible policy commitments have the resources necessary to strengthen health systems. In 2002 the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria was launched. To date more than $1.9 billion has been pledged to the fund, of which the UK has committed $200 million over five years. And in addition to on-going commitments to combat these three killer diseases, the G8 Heads of Government have committed to provide sufficient resources to eradicate polio by 2005. The UK has also introduced a tax credit to encourage companies to increase research and development into vaccines and medicines for the prevention and treatment of malaria, TB and those strains of AIDS which predominantly affect people in developing countries.
	In the months ahead and at the annual meetings of the IMF and World bank in October, the UK will press for further joint action in meeting the Millennium Development Goals.

PRIME MINISTER

Departmental Waste

Sue Doughty: To ask the Prime Minister what proportion of waste produced in his Office was (a) recycled, (b) composted and (c) re-used, broken down into (i) paper, (ii) plastics, (iii) aluminium cans and (iv) other in each year since 1997; what plans there are to increase these proportions; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 11 July 2002, Official Report, columns 1100–01W.

Future of Farming and Food

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received about implementing the recommendations of the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: I have received over 100 letters this year about farming, including ones on the recommendations of the Policy Commission report on the Future of Farming and Food. I have also hosted a seminar with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Sir Donald Curry, key industry and other players, to discuss how we can deliver the recommendations of the commission.
	The Government's discussion document, "Sustainable Food and Farming: Working Together", invited views on how to take forward the Policy Commission's recommendations. Responses will help inform the construction of the new strategy for food and farming, to be launched in the autumn.
	This strategy will announce details of the policy measures that we will put in place to deliver the vision identified in the Policy Commission's report. Today's spending review settlement demonstrates our commitment to this vision. It invests £500 million in sustainable farming, including a programme rising to £200 million in 2005–06 with which to address the report's key recommendations. And it allows for the rolling out of the proposed broad and shallow agri-environment scheme, financed through increased modulation and Exchequer matched funding in 2005–06.

SCOTLAND

Performance Targets

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the performance targets that her Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are required to meet, apart from those set out in the public service agreements for 1999–2002 and 2001–04; and if she will specify for each target (a) who sets it and (b) who monitors achievement against it.

Helen Liddell: My Department sponsors the Boundary Commission for Scotland. The Scotland Office has no public service agreements and no additional performance targets have been set for the Commission.

Broadband

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the benefits of access to broadband services for Scotland; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what targets she has set for the roll out of broadband services across Scotland; and if she will make a statement.

Helen Liddell: The Government believe that the roll out and adoption of broadband across the UK can make an important contribution to delivering social and economic benefits. In "UK Online: The Broadband Future", published in February 2001, the Government set a target for the UK to have most extensive and competitive broadband market in the G7 by 2005. The Scottish Executive are taking forward the roll out of broadband in Scotland and have published "Connecting Scotland: Our Broadband Future", which aims to make broadband connections more affordable and available.

Basle II

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has had with the Treasury about the effect on the Scottish financial sector of the current terms of Basle II.

Helen Liddell: I have regular discussions with Treasury Ministers on a wide range of issues.
	The Treasury are closely following the on-going discussions on the Basle II Accord which has yet to be finalised and I am kept informed of developments. The Treasury are aware of the potential impact on the financial industry, including that of Scotland, when Basle II is transposed into an EU directive. The UK will negotiate to ensure that the directive is flexible, effective and proportionate.

Scottish Boundary Commission

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she intends to introduce orders into the House to implement the recommendations of the Scottish Boundary Commission in time for the next general election.

Helen Liddell: I am required by the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 to lay the Boundary Commission for Scotland's report before Parliament, together with the draft of an Order in Council giving it effect, with or without modifications, as soon as may be after the Commission submits its report. The Boundary Commission is required to submit its report between December 2002 and December 2006. It is a matter for the Commission when, within that time scale, it does so.

Scottish Electoral Process

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will set up a joint commission between the UK Parliament and Government and the Scottish Executive and Parliament to discuss the Scottish electoral process.

Helen Liddell: There are no plans to set up a joint commission for this purpose.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Military Export Licences

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many standard individual and open individual export licences have been granted to (a) Georgia, (b) Uzbekistan, (c) Kyrgyzstan, (d) Tajikistan, (e) Turkey, (f) the Philippines, (g) Kenya, (h) Ethiopia, (i) Djibouti, (j) Bahrain, (k) Oman, (l) Jordan, (m) Yemen, (n) India, (o) Pakistan and (p) Israel in each month from January 2001 to September 2001; and if she will make a statement.

Nigel Griffiths: holding answer 8 July 2002
	The number of Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) issued where the end users are in Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, the Philippines, Kenya, Ethiopia, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Yemen, India, Pakistan and Israel in each month from January 2001 to September 2001, is set out in the table. During that same period no SIELs or OIELs were issued where the end user was in Djibouti.
	For information on SIELs issued to end users in Israel between May 2001 and October 2001 I refer the right hon. and learned Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Kelvin (Mr. Galloway) of 23 November 2001, Official Report, columns 558–59W.
	
		SIELS and OIELS issued
		
			  January 2001 February 2001 March 2001 April 2001 May 2001 June 2001 July 2001 August 2001 September 2001 
		
		
			 SIELS  
			 Bahrain 4 3 — 2 1 2 1 2 2 
			 Ethiopia — — — 2 — 3 1 2 1 
			 Georgia — — — — — 1 — — — 
			 India 68 67 60 45 61 71 49 47 71 
			 Israel — 46 26 25 — — — — — 
			 Jordan 6 6 5 11 5 — 26 2 5 
			 Kenya 3 1 3 3 3 2 5 4 1 
			 Kyrgyzstan — — — — — — — 1 — 
			 Oman 4 5 7 10 8 11 8 6 4 
			 Pakistan 2 6 16 5 16 18 7 9 15 
			 Philippines — — 1 — — 2 2 2 1 
			 Tajikistan 1 — — — — — — — — 
			 Turkey 27 14 14 7 19 10 6 12 16 
			 Uzbekistan — — — — — — — — — 
			 Yemen — — — — — — 1 — — 
			   
			 OIELS  
			 Bahrain 2 1 — 1 4 2 5 1 2 
			 Ethiopia — — — — — — — — — 
			 Georgia — — — 1 — — — — — 
			 India 7 4 6 5 6 3 3 4 4 
			 Israel — — 1 1 1 — 2 4 5 
			 Jordan — 1 2 1 2 1 2 3 1 
			 Kenya — 2 — 3 2 3 3 1 3 
			 Kyrgyzstan — — — — — — — — — 
			 Oman 5 5 4 5 6 9 7 2 8 
			 Pakistan — 1 1 1 — 1 3 1 — 
			 Philippines 2 — 1 5 2 1 2 2 2 
			 Tajikistan — — — — — — — — — 
			 Turkey 7 5 4 5 9 12 3 3 5 
			 Uzbekistan — — — — 1 — — — 1 
			 Yemen — 1 — — 1 — — — — 
		
	
	All relevant export licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case by case basis against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at the time and taking account of other relevant factors.

Departmental Energy Use

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the estimated (a) level and (b) cost of energy use in her Department and associated agencies was in each year since 1997; what proportion of energy was generated from renewable sources; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 2 July 2002, Official Report, columns 245–46W, by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Rural Affairs.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Management Committee for the Control and Production of Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: I have been asked to reply.
	The next meeting of the Management Committee established under Article 18 of EC Regulation 2037–2000 on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is scheduled for 18 and 19 September 2002. Places per EU member state at this committee are limited so the UK delegates to the meeting represent the interests of the Scottish Executive. As with other committees of this type, the Department consults the Scottish Executive and the other devolved Administrations on the UK line.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee for the Implementation of the Directive on the Incineration of Hazardous Waste is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: I have been asked to reply.
	There have been no meetings of such a committee. None is now likely, since that directive (94/67/EC) has been superseded by Directive 2000/76/EC on the incineration of waste and is to be repealed from 28 December 2005.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee for the application of the regulation authorising voluntary participation by undertakings in the industrial sector in a Community eco-management and audit scheme is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: I have been asked to reply.
	The next meeting is scheduled for October 23 and October 24 this year. The European Commission has not yet circulated a final agenda.
	As all foreign policy issues are non devolved, relations with the European Union are the responsibility of the Parliament and Government of the United Kingdom, as member state.
	The UK is represented at the committee by DEFRA and accompanied by a representative from the designated Competent Body for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Representatives from the Scottish Executive have not attended. Other Departments and devolved Administrations are consulted prior to meetings of the committee on matters that are of direct interest to them. The Competent Body liaises with each of the devolved Administrations on routine matters concerning the operation of the scheme within the UK.
	We actively support EMAS, whose aims are to encourage organisations to commit to legal compliance and continuous improvement in their environmental performance and to publish an environmental statement. The scheme was set up in 1993 by EU Regulation 1836–93 and became fully operational in April 1995. The regulation was revised in 2001 by Regulation 761–2001 which among other things widened participation from industrial sites to all forms of organisation. To register for EMAS an organisation must have its environmental management system verified and its environmental statement validated by an independent and accredited "verifier". The Competent Body for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland maintains a public register of participants together with information about the scheme at www.emas.org.uk. Similar information at the EU level is also held on the European Commission's website at http://europa.eu.int/ comm/environment/emas/.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee for the Implementation of the Directive on Concerning Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: I have been asked to reply.
	There is no committee of that precise title. However, the European Commission has convened since 1998 five annual meetings of an 'Expert Group' on integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC) in relation to the 1996 directive concerning that subject. The most recent meeting was in February this year and the next is expected, although not yet scheduled, in the early part of 2003. Members of the Scottish Executive have not so far attended, although they would be welcome to join officials of the Department in doing so.

Directives (Trade Barriers)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of directives on the removal of technical barriers to trade in the sector of motor vehicles and their trailers is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	No date has yet been fixed for the next meeting of this committee but we expect it to be held in the autumn. Officials from my Department represent the UK on the committee as policy responsibility for motor vehicle and trailer technical standards is a reserved matter.

Directives (Trade Barriers)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee for the Adaptation to Technical Progress of Directives on the Removal of Technical Barriers to Trade in the Sector of Agricultural and Forestry Tractors is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	No date has yet been fixed for the next meeting of this committee. Officials from my Department represent the UK on this committee as policy responsibility for agricultural and forestry tractor technical standards is a reserved matter.

Health and Safety

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking to improve corporate attitudes to health and safety.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government and the Health and Safety Commission will continue to pursue measures, launched in 2001 to implement key aspects of the Revitalising Health and Safety strategy, aimed at promoting greater corporate responsibility for health and safety. These include voluntary measures to improve the reporting of the management of health and safety by top companies from the current level of 50 per cent. and increase board and directors' responsibility for, and involvement in, managing the risks to occupational health and safety.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Magistrates Courts

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of magistrates court cases were adjourned in each year since 1992 (a) in total, (b) through non-attendance of witnesses and (c) through non-attendance of defendants.

Yvette Cooper: This information is not available. Data on adjourned cases in magistrates courts were not collected on a national basis (England and Wales) until April of this year. The first quarterly figures will be available later this year. Figures from the pilot scheme which ran for three months in nine magistrates courts committee areas (April to June 2001) show that out of a total of 6,213 trials, 1,176 were logged as adjourned trials. 338 (29 per cent.) of these adjourned trials were caused when the witnesses (prosecution and defence) failed to attend and 260 (22 per cent.) were adjourned due to the non-attendance of the defendants.

Magistrates Courts

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the estimated cost was of cases adjourned in magistrates courts in each year since 1992.

Yvette Cooper: This information is not available. Data on adjourned cases in magistrates courts did not start to be collected on a national basis (England and Wales) until April of this year. This new collection exercise started as a result of the National Audit Office report in December 1999 which identified that over £41 million a year was wasted on cracked and ineffective hearings. Pilot work was then undertaken and a scheme developed with the Crown Prosecution Service and other criminal justice agencies before the full national data collection scheme started in April 2002. The first quarterly figures are due to be available later this year.

Fines

Nick Gibb: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of fine- defaulters on income support and income-related jobseeker's allowance were subject to three or more attachment of benefit orders for any period since 1990 for which figures are available.

Yvette Cooper: This information is currently not collected centrally but we are examining whether it would be possible by research or sampling to estimate the data requested, as well as new ways to collect information on defendant means.

Union Jack

Christopher Chope: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Government will introduce legislation to ensure that it is always lawful to display the Union Jack.

Rosie Winterton: The Government see no need to introduce such legislation. There are no restrictions under the general law on the display of the Union Flag on land in England and Wales other than those imposed by the provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 and the Trade Marks Act 1994, which relate to the reproduction of flags in trade marks. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport issues guidance, in consultation with the Lord Chamberlain's Office, as to the days The Queen has approved for flags to be flown from Government buildings.
	British ships are entitled to fly the Red Ensign, which includes a Union Flag in the corner. This is internationally recognised at sea as the flag of a British ship.

Judge Hutton

Mike Hancock: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to the answer of 8 January 2002, Official Report, column 610W, when she will make her final decision about the conduct of Judge Hutton; and if she will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The Lord Chancellor has now received his officials' report about the conduct of Judge Hutton, who was alleged to have fallen asleep in court last December. He is considering the contents and expects to make a public statement about his final decision shortly.

Public Inquiries

John Randall: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what her policy is on using 0870 telephone numbers for inquiries by the public to the Department and its agencies.

Rosie Winterton: None of the telephone lines made available by the Lord Chancellor's Department for public inquiry currently use 0870 telephone numbers.

Contact Orders

Debra Shipley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what evidence she has received from (a) Women's Aid, (b) the NSPCC and (c) other children's organisations regarding unsupervised contact; and will she make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: I have received information from the Women's Aid Federation of England, the NSPCC, Barnardos and NCH on unsupervised contact. Specifically I have received information in which it is alleged that 15 children have been killed during unsupervised contact. I have undertaken to investigate these cases in partnership with the Home Office and Department of Health.

E-voting

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many people voted by (a) text-mail in the Sheffield area and (b) e-mail, telephone and mobile in St. Albans; and what plans there are to extend e-voting to other parts of the UK.

Christopher Leslie: I have been asked to reply.
	In the three wards in Sheffield where the electoral pilot scheme was conducted in the May 2002 local election, 1,327 people voted by SMS text message. In addition, 2,833 people used the internet to vote, 61 people used electronic kiosks, 912 people used postal votes and 7,978 voted in conventional polling stations.
	In the two wards in St. Albans where the electoral pilot scheme took place, 825 people voted using the internet and 744 voted by telephone (landline or mobile). In addition, 377 used postal votes and 1,095 people voted at electronic kiosks in polling stations or a local supermarket.
	We intend in September to issue a prospectus inviting local authorities to participate in further pilot schemes in the May 2003 elections. Our prospectus will take account of the Electoral Commission's formal evaluation of each of the May 2002 electoral pilot schemes, which will be presented to the Deputy Prime Minister shortly.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

Members' Pensions

Eric Forth: To ask the President of the Council, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Vale of Clwyd (Chris Ruane) on 7 May 2002, Official Report, column 74W, on Members' pensions, when the statutory instrument to give effect to the recommendations of the SSRB will be tabled.

Robin Cook: In July of last year the House voted to increase the accrual rate of the parliamentary pension from one-fiftieth to one-fortieth. The Government did not accept the proposal in the resolution that all the cost should fall on the Exchequer. I therefore announced on 7 May that I had referred the cost of this improvement to the SSRB.
	The SSRB has now reported. In brief, they recommend that the cost of the faster accrual rate, which is estimated at 5.1 per cent. of pay, should in the short-term be split with Members contributing 3 per cent. and the Exchequer contributing 2.1 per cent. The SSRB further recommends that this additional Exchequer contribution should be taken into account in subsequent reviews of MPs pay so that eventually the full cost of the accrual rate is borne by MPs.
	The Government accept these recommendations of the SSRB. I am therefore today laying an Order giving effect to the new accrual rate and also to other recommendations of the SSRB which the House approved last July.
	There are two remaining issues, whether survivor pensions should be extended to unmarried adult dependants and whether survivor pensions should continue if a spouse remarries. It is the Government's policy that neither the cost of extending pensions to surviving adult dependants, nor that of the SSRB recommendation to pay pensions to surviving spouses for life, should fall on the taxpayer. Following the vote last year, the trustees of the pension scheme were asked to consider how these proposals could best be implemented at no cost to the Exchequer. The trustees only reported on 5 July. There has not therefore been sufficient notice for the Government to reach a view on these proposals and whether they do protect the taxpayer against any additional cost. I expect to bring forward proposals to the House in the autumn. Changes will be backdated to today's date.
	The new contribution rate for Members will be 9 per cent. of pay. The statutory instrument provides that contracting into the new accrual rate will be optional for existing members of the scheme.
	I hope this sensible compromise will be welcome. I believe it fairly recognises the decline in the average length of service of MPs, which has had the effect that only a handful of Members now achieve the maximum pension entitlement.

CABINET OFFICE

Software

Brian White: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what his policy is towards using open source software; and what percentage is used in his Department.

Douglas Alexander: It is planned to publish the policy on the use of open source software within the UK Government in summer 2002. The Cabinet Office will implement this policy. A draft version of the policy went out to consultation between December 2001 and March 2002 and is available for viewing on Govtalk (www.govtalk.gov.uk). There are no statistics currently available on the percentage of open source software use in the Cabinet Office.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Sentencing

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to strengthen the guidelines for judges for sentencing criminals.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 11 June 2002
	Sentencing is a matter for the judiciary. A review of the Sentencing Framework was established by the Home Secretary on 16 May 2000 and published its proposals on 5 July 2001. The review was asked to consider what principles should guide sentencing decisions and what type of disposal should be made available to the courts so as more effectively to reduce re-offending. Public consultation ended formally on 31 October 2001.
	One of the recommendations of the review is for the creation of new, codified guidelines for the use of discretion in all criminal courts, and the establishment of a new body to draft the guidelines and be responsible for monitoring their application.
	The Government are considering the options for taking this recommendation forward and will set out final proposals in a White Paper due for publication shortly.

Violent Crimes

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many violent crimes were committed in each police authority area in each (a) month and (b) year since 2000; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: holding answer 2 July 2002
	The available figures for recorded crime relate to quarter years from the beginning of 2000 to the end of March 2001, and are given in the table.
	It should be noted that recorded violent crime is subject to changes in reporting and recording. For example, the 2001 British Crime Survey found that, over England and Wales as a whole, reporting to the police of common assault rose from 29 per cent. in 1999 to 39 per cent. in the year 2000. Also, the British Crime Survey has shown that, in England and Wales as a whole, the number of common assaults recorded in the survey decreased by 14 per cent. between the 1999 and 2000 calendar years, whereas common assaults recorded by the police increased by an estimated 9 per cent.
	From April 2002 the Home Office has started collecting recorded crime data from the police on a monthly basis. These data will be made available in due course, although the format and frequency of publication has yet to be decided.
	
		Number of violent crimes(17) recorded by police force area by quarter, from January 2000 to March 2001; with 2000–01 total
		
			 Police force area January 2000 to March 2000 April 2000 to June 2000 July 2000 to September 2000 October 2000 to December 2000 January 2001 to March 2001 April 2000 to(18) March 2001 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 4,973 4,576 4,583 5,246 4,666 19,071 
			 Bedfordshire 1,477 1,583 1,548 1,540 1,675 6,346 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,661 1,926 1,869 1,730 1,894 7,419 
			 Cheshire 1,592 1,584 1,646 1,538 1,722 6,490 
			 Cleveland 1,151 1,087 1,013 1,023 1,107 4,230 
			 Cumbria 1,227 1,243 1,012 1,111 1,048 4,414 
			 Derbyshire 2,690 2,936 2,627 2,572 2,401 10,536 
			 Devon and Cornwall 3,350 3,352 3,677 3,233 3,093 13,355 
			 Dorset 1,096 1,191 1,294 1,086 1,024 4,595 
			 Durham 1,343 1,473 1,486 1,325 1,365 5,649 
			 Essex(19) 1,853 3,303 3,152 2,918 2,859 12,232 
			 Gloucestershire 1,239 1,418 1,440 1,463 1,388 5,709 
			 Greater Manchester 12,278 13,650 12,964 12,511 12,799 51,924 
			 Hampshire 4,452 4,692 4,859 5,102 4,627 19,280 
			 Hertfordshire(19) 1,121 1,394 1,388 1,301 1,307 5,390 
			 Humberside 2,430 2,567 2,812 2,829 2,582 10,790 
			 Kent 3,473 4,172 4,028 3,765 3,131 15,096 
			 Lancashire 2,734 2,877 3,236 3,845 3,912 13,870 
			 Leicestershire 3,086 3,115 3,215 2,937 3,135 12,402 
			 Lincolnshire 962 1,040 1,090 1,075 1,010 4,215 
			 London, City of 138 150 159 162 134 605 
			 Merseyside 4,515 4,794 4,920 4,966 4,562 19,242 
			 Metropolitan police(19) 50,408 52,544 51,708 49,905 50,870 205,027 
			 Norfolk 1,583 1,632 1,718 1,617 1,504 6,471 
			 Northamptonshire 1,469 1,479 1,498 1,501 1,573 6,051 
			 Northumbria 4,194 3,933 3,777 3,617 3,907 15,234 
			 North Yorkshire 1,337 1,425 1,356 1,289 1,303 5,373 
			 Nottinghamshire 4,491 4,622 4,297 4,362 4,560 17,841 
			 South Yorkshire 2,338 2,360 2,514 2,646 2,557 10,077 
			 Staffordshire 4,408 4,448 4,604 4,648 4,893 18,593 
			 Suffolk 1,402 1,839 1,880 1,493 1,781 6,993 
			 Surrey(19) 1,458 2,268 2,333 2,156 2,257 9,014 
			 Sussex 4,550 5,112 5,461 4,391 4,541 19,505 
			 Thames Valley 2,090 4,427 4,450 4,480 4,598 17,955 
			 Warwickshire 646 696 687 770 965 3,118 
			 West Mercia 2,268 2,216 2,053 1,904 2,592 8,765 
			 West Midlands 13,673 15,303 15,669 15,513 15,812 62,297 
			 West Yorkshire 5,426 5,582 5,611 5,571 5,572 22,336 
			 Wiltshire 1,120 1,245 1,311 1,287 1,199 5,042 
			 Dyfed-Powys 1,371 1,444 1,578 1,342 1,387 5,751 
			
			 Gwent 3,545 3,954 3,891 3,855 3,182 14,882 
			 North Wales 1,545 1,610 1,485 1,384 1,448 5,927 
			 South Wales 3,441 3,378 3,643 3,544 3,697 14,262 
			  
			 England and Wales total 172,604 185,640 185,542 180,553 181,639 733,374 
		
	
	(17) Violent crimes comprise offences of violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery.
	(18) Financial year total.
	(19) Some Metropolitan police areas were transferred to Surrey, Essex or Hertfordshire on 1 April 2000.

Drugs

Paul Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many people were (a) found guilty, (b) cautioned and (c) imprisoned for drugs offences in respect of (i) cannabis, (ii) amphetamines, (iii) LSD, (iv) cocaine, (v) ecstasy, (vi) heroin and (vii) crack in each year since 1981;
	(2)  how many drugs seizures there were by the police and Her Majesty's Customs of (a) cannabis, (b) amphetamines, (c) LSD, (d) cocaine, (e) ecstasy, (f) heroin and (g) crack in each year since 1981;
	(3)  what quantities of (a) cannabis, (b) amphetamines, (c) LSD, (d) cocaine, (e) ecstasy, (f) heroin and (g) crack were seized by the police and by Her Majesty's Customs in each year since 1981.

Bob Ainsworth: The information requested on the number of drug seizures and the quantities seized by the police and Her Majesty's Customs is given in the Supplementary Tables volume of the annual Home Office Statistical Bulletin "Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics, United Kingdom". Information on people cautioned or found guilty (including custodial sentences) of drug offences is contained in the main publication volume. Copies of these volumes, together with the Area Tables volume, are available in the Library.

Drugs

Paul Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in the United Kingdom aged (a) 34 years and younger and (b) 35 years and older are estimated to have taken (i) cannabis, (ii) amphetamines, (iii) LSD, (iv) cocaine, (v) ecstasy, (vi) heroin and (vii) crack.

Bob Ainsworth: The most up-to-date estimates currently available are from the 2000 British Crime Survey. Data are only available for England and Wales.
	
		Table 1: Estimates of the number of 16 to 34-year-olds having ever used various drugs in their lifetime, in England and Wales in 2000
		
			   Best estimate Lower estimate Higher estimate 
		
		
			 Cannabis 5,526,000 5,305,000 5,746,000 
			 Amphetamines 2,624,000 2,807,000 2,451,000 
			 LSD 1,345,000 1,216,000 1,486,000 
			 Cocaine 1,217,000 1,094,000 1,352,000 
			 Ecstasy 1,427,000 1,294,000 1,571,000 
			 Heroin 206,000 157,000 269,000 
			 Crack 247,000 193,000 315,000 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Estimates of the number of 35 to 59-year-olds having ever used various drugs in their lifetime, in England and Wales in 2000
		
			   Best estimate Lower estimate Higher estimate 
		
		
			 Cannabis 3,208,000 3,035,000 3,390,000 
			 Amphetamines 1,047,000 943,000 1,161,000 
			 LSD 489,000 419,000 570,000 
			 Cocaine 385,000 323,000 458,000 
			 Ecstasy 154,000 116,000 203,000 
			 Heroin 93,000 65,000 132,000 
			 Crack 71,000 47,000 107,000

Drugs

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department succeeded in reducing access to drugs for those aged between 5 and 16 years between 1998 and 2001–02; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 4 July 2002
	Results from the 2001 Survey of Drug use, Smoking, and Drinking among school children aged 11 to 15 years in England (published in a Statistical Press Notice by Department of Health on 15 March 2002) show that 42 per cent. have ever been offered at least one or more drugs.
	A revised method of measuring the prevalence of drug use was introduced in 2001 and the questions used in 2001 provide new estimates of drug use and are not strictly comparable with results from previous years. The results from previous surveys are 34 per cent. in 1998, 35 per cent. in 1999, and 35 per cent. in 2000.
	Information regarding younger children is not available centrally.

Overstayers

Jon Owen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 9 November 2001, Official Report, column 498W, to the hon. Member for Hornchurch (John Cryer), how many applications have been made under the regularisation scheme for overstayers; how many applicants have had their cases decided; how many cases are (a) under consideration and (b) awaiting action; and how many applicants have had their cases refused.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 9 July 2002
	A total of 17,120 applications were received for consideration under the Regularisation Scheme for Overstayers. During the last financial year (2001–02) a sift of the cases yielded a total of 1,288 easily identifiable grants under existing policy concessions. During the current financial year significantly more caseworking staff and resources are being devoted to the more detailed consideration of the remaining cases. To date 341 further grants have been identified together with 111 refusals. This leaves 15,380 cases to be decided. Of these 10,895 cases are currently awaiting consideration in Integrated Casework Directorate (North). Work is also under way to validate the status of the remaining 4,485 cases, which are currently being dealt with in other areas of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND). Of all the applications received, 1,629 applications have been granted.
	The intention is to complete consideration of all outstanding cases by April 2003.

Yarl's Wood Fire

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who took the decision not to install sprinklers at Yarl's Wood; and on what advice that decision was based.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 9 July 2002
	The Minister responsible at the time made the decision based upon advice from a number of different expert sources.

Crime and Disorder Partnerships

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 17 June 2002, Official Report, column 102W, on crime and disorder partnerships, what sanctions he can impose if the police do not discuss with their local partners significant changes in policing practice which might affect how the partnership delivers its crime and disorder reduction strategy.

John Denham: Each police force is required under section 96 of the Police Act 1996 to obtain the views of the community on policing in that force area and their co-operation in crime prevention. The police authority for that area is responsible for making arrangements for this in consultation with the chief officer. If it appears to the Secretary of State that these arrangements are inadequate, he may ask for a report. Having considered that report, he can require the arrangements to be reviewed and a further report submitted.
	The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 further places a statutory requirement on the police and the local authority jointly to develop and implement a strategy for tackling crime and disorder. There are no specific sanctions under the 1998 Act but this does not preclude Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary from examining and, if necessary, criticising the police if they fail to work effectively with other agencies.
	The Local Government Act 1998 places a duty on police authorities, as best value authorities, to ensure continuous improvement by undertaking reviews of all the service's functions. All best value reviews must follow a process of challenge, compare, compete and consult. Any best value review which focuses on performance in service delivery to the public will therefore include consulting the users of the service. Police authorities publish information about best value reviews completed in the previous year and projected for the coming year in their annual Performance Plans.

Asylum Seekers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children seeking asylum have arrived in the United Kingdom in the last five years.

Beverley Hughes: I regret that reliable information on the entry routes of asylum seekers, including when asylum seekers first enter the United Kingdom, is not available. Information on the numbers of unaccompanied children who applied at port and in-country during the last five years available, is given in the table.
	
		Unaccompanied(20),(21),(22) children aged 17 or under applying for asylum in the United Kingdom, 1996 to 2000
		
			 Year of application Applied at port Applied in-country Total 
		
		
			 1996 477 154 631 
			 1997 671 431 1,102 
			 1998 1,083 1,954 3,037 
			 1999 1,498 1,851 3,349 
			 2000(23) 1,394 1,339 2,733 
		
	
	(20) Unaccompanied at the point of their arrival and not known to be joining.
	(21) May exclude some cases lodged at local enforcement centres.
	(22) Figures exclude disputed age cases.
	(23) Provisional figures.
	Corresponding data for 2001 will be published in the annual statistics bulletin 'Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 2001' on 31 July, available from the Library or via the RDS website http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/ immigration1.html
	Reliable information on the number of children who have entered the United Kingdom as asylum seekers, accompanied by an adult, could only be obtained by examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost.

Asylum Seekers

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons applied for political asylum in 2001; how many of those applicants came to the UK from France; and how many of the asylum seekers who came to the UK via France in 2001 had first applied for asylum in France.

Beverley Hughes: Provisional figures show that in 2001, 71,700 principal applicants applied for asylum in the United Kingdom. Including dependants, the number of applicants was estimated to be 88,300.
	I regret that reliable information on the entry routes of asylum seekers from their country of origin to the United Kingdom, or on whether applicants have previously applied for asylum outside the United Kingdom, is not available. In 2001 over a third (36 per cent.) of applications were made at United Kingdom ports, while most applications (64 per cent.) were made in country.
	Information on asylum applications is published quarterly. The next publication will be available from 30 August 2002 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum Seekers

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are living in the Greater London area.

Beverley Hughes: The information is not available in the form requested. We currently only have statistics on the number of asylum seekers supported by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS).
	As at the end of March 2002 the number of asylum seekers (including dependants) supported in NASS accommodation in London was 1,870, and the number of asylum seekers (including dependants) receiving subsistence only support in London was 21,370 1 .
	Statistics on the number of asylum seekers supported by NASS in each region are available on the Home Office's Immigration and Asylum Statistics website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	Figures exclude cases where the asylum seeker's support has been ceased.
	Asylum seekers are only allocated accommodation in London in exceptional circumstances i.e. medical reasons.
	1 Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

Asylum Seekers

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what European countries his Department are in discussions with to ensure there is co-operation in relation to asylum procedures being followed by the United Kingdom.

Beverley Hughes: We are in discussion with all European Union states on a broad range of measures designed to establish minimum standards for asylum procedures and policies across the European Union. The European Council in Seville set a timetable for their completion by the end of 2003. This includes negotiations on a revised proposal concerning asylum procedures within the European Union.
	The United Kingdom will continue to play a leading role in the process through active participation in negotiations with other member states. We have done so already with regard to adopted measures, such as the directive establishing minimum standards for temporary protection or where a general approach has been agreed, as is presently the case for the reception conditions directive.
	In addition, we co-operate with other member states in procedural terms in order to implement the Dublin Convention to determine the state responsible for examining an application for asylum. Although unable to accede to the Dublin Convention such co-operation has also extended to Norway and Iceland since 1 April 2001, as a result of a separate agreement between those countries and the European Union member states to apply the Dublin Convention criteria.

Asylum Seekers

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the proportion of asylum claimants who lose contact with his Department; what research this estimate is based upon; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: I regret that the information requested is not available and no such estimate has been made. Asylum applicants do not always inform the Immigration Service prior to leaving the United Kingdom. We are making improvements in the area of contact management as detailed in the current Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill.
	This states that those in the proposed accommodation centres may be required to report on a daily basis within the accommodation centre. We will seek to maintain contact with those asylum seekers who are dispersed. Those who do not require National Asylum Support Service (NASS) accommodation will also be required to report at the NASS address, at reporting centres or at police stations attended by staff from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. During the induction process asylum seekers will be advised of their obligations to notify any change of address and to report as required. Provision of support will be made conditional on asylum seekers reporting as required.

Asylum Seekers

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the conclusions of the research paper published by South Bank university in June on "Maintaining Contact: What Happens after Detained Asylum Seekers get Bail".

Beverley Hughes: We welcome the contribution the research conducted by South Bank university makes to the on-going debate about the use of immigration detention powers. We are aware of its conclusions and currently studying the whole report.
	We are making improvements in the area of contact management as detailed in the current Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill. This states that those in the proposed accommodation centres may be required to report on a daily basis within the accommodation centre. We will seek to maintain contact with those asylum seekers who are dispersed. Those who do not require National Asylum Support Service (NASS) accommodation will also be required to report at the NASS address, at reporting centres or at police stations attended by staff from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. During the induction process asylum seekers will be advised of their obligations to notify any change of address and to report as required. Provision of support will be made conditional on asylum seekers reporting as required.

Asylum Seekers

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of asylum seekers detained and subsequently released on bail lost contact with his Department's authorities in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Beverley Hughes: I regret that the information requested is not available.

Asylum Seekers

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 22 November, Official Report, column 444W, on asylum seekers, when the study was commissioned; and if he will publish its conclusions.

Beverley Hughes: A study to review methods used in different countries to attempt to estimate the size of their illegally resident populations was commissioned by the Home Office in January of this year. This work will assess the applicability of those methods to the United Kingdom context. The study is still on-going and will be published later this year.

Asylum Seekers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated cost to public funds is of the failure to achieve the target to increase to 85 per cent. the percentage of appealed asylum decisions applied by the Immigration Appellate Authority at Adjudicator level.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 11 July 2002
	This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Witnesses

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research since 1992 has been conducted into interviews with (a) witnesses and (b) vulnerable witnesses; who conducted the research; and when it was published.

Hilary Benn: In 1995 the Home Office published a report entitled "Videotaping Children's Evidence: An Evaluation" by Graham Davies, Clare Wilson, Rebecca Mitchell and John Milsom.
	It published a further report in 2001 entitled "National Evaluation of the PEACE Investigative Interviewing Course" by Colin Clarke and Rebecca Milne. This covers the interviewing of suspects as well as witnesses and victims of crime. It includes a literature review.
	The Home Office commissioned BMRB, an independent research company, to produce the "Witness Satisfaction Survey 2000" and the "Vulnerable Witness Survey". Both were published in 2001.

Air Weapons

Julia Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of armed response team call outs were to (a) air weapons and (b) replica weapons incidents in the last 12 months.

John Denham: I am advised by the Association of Chief Police Officers that this information could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

Pensions

John Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, for each police authority in England, the amount spent on pensions in (a) each of the last three years and (b) the current year, and the percentage each figure represents of that authority's total revenue spending in each of those years.

John Denham: The information is set out in the table. Figures for 2002–03 are not yet available.
	
		Police net pensions costs in England 1999–2000 to 2001–02
		
			   1999–2000 Net pensions  2000–01 Net pensions  2001–02 Net pensions  
			  Police  Costs £000 As a proportion of net expenditure Percentage  Costs £000 As a proportion of net expenditure Percentage  Costs £000 As a proportion of net expenditure Percentage 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 25,869 14.84 29,290 16.16 31,585 16.65 
			 Bedfordshire 7,595 11.94 8,292 12.48 9,078 12.84 
			 Cambridgeshire 9,255 12.33 10,285 12.98 10,674 12.69 
			 Cheshire 12,539 11.07 12,895 11.25 16,599 13.63 
			 City of London 8,211 14.19 9,052 15.36 9,578 16.05 
			 Cleveland 12,339 14.47 12,993 15.18 13,478 14.85 
			 Cumbria 9,577 14.78 10,361 15.37 10,765 15.25 
			 Derbyshire 11,969 11.34 14,862 13.41 14,473 12.37 
			 Devon and Cornwall 25,008 14.29 25,535 13.96 28,313 14.81 
			 Dorset 11,183 14.53 11,343 14.00 12,728 15.05 
			 Durham 10,070 12.64 10,327 12.04 10,991 12.54 
			 Essex 20,162 12.00 20,853 11.30 25,211 12.94 
			 Gloucestershire 8,808 13.40 9,755 14.20 10,301 14.26 
			 Greater Manchester 59,681 15.92 60,833 15.21 66,792 16.25 
			 Hampshire 22,675 11.48 21,960 10.84 24,537 11.35 
			 Hertfordshire 11,721 11.22 11,854 9.80 12,308 9.51 
			 Humberside 15,189 13.33 16,963 14.15 18,572 14.49 
			 Kent 21,132 11.35 24,134 12.50 26,759 12.94 
			 Lancashire 23,004 12.64 25,753 13.54 28,568 14.35 
			 Leicestershire 12,376 11.54 13,342 12.11 14,706 12.63 
			 Lincolnshire 10,634 15.33 11,821 16.25 12,820 16.86 
			 Merseyside 38,079 15.33 40,246 15.65 43,542 16.43 
			 Metropolitan 215,071 11.70 243,511 13.25 254,767 12.87 
			 Norfolk 10,141 11.63 11,570 12.64 12,354 12.55 
			 North Yorkshire 12,901 16.50 13,657 16.31 14,757 17.19 
			 Northamptonshire 7,425 10.74 8,706 11.91 8,484 10.83 
			 Northumbria 29,508 13.87 31,170 14.27 32,794 14.41 
			 Nottinghamshire 17,847 13.79 18,346 13.66 21,457 15.30 
			 South Yorkshire 18,791 10.68 19,165 10.59 22,805 12.18 
			 Staffordshire 19,796 15.59 18,843 14.84 22,866 17.03 
			 Suffolk 10,479 14.86 10,029 13.54 11,130 14.34 
			 Surrey 10,331 10.32 11,191 9.32 11,605 9.48 
			 Sussex 24,538 14.82 27,578 15.99 29,312 15.94 
			 Thames Valley 20,961 9.23 23,169 9.78 24,971 9.90 
			 Warwickshire 7,983 14.47 9,000 15.25 10,300 16.51 
			
			 West Mercia 13,603 12.21 16,665 13.26 18,183 13.65 
			 West Midlands 43,192 11.32 46,959 11.89 51,133 12.45 
			 West Yorkshire 40,259 14.07 43,114 14.18 47,066 14.98 
			 Wiltshire 7,776 11.14 8,000 11.11 9,272 12.26 
			 Total 897,678 12.69 973,422 13.26 1,055,634 13.63 
		
	
	Note:
	Actual expenditure for 1999–2000, estimates for 2000–01 and 2001–02.
	Source:
	The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (police statistics)

Street Crime

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on requiring the prioritisation of street crime by chief constables; and what statutory power he has to require them to prioritise specified categories of crime.

John Denham: Finding effective means of tackling street crime is a Government priority following a rapid rise in such offences in recent years (including a 13 per cent. rise in robbery offences in the year up to March 2001). To achieve this, the Government are working jointly with the 10 forces which account for over 80 per cent. of such offences, and who have agreed collectively to make street crime a priority as part of this multi-agency initiative.

Chief Constables

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statutory power he has to require chief constables to attend meetings with him on crime.

John Denham: The Secretary of State does not have, nor does he need, a statutory power to have a meeting with a chief constable to discuss any topic. The Secretary of State may, however, require a chief constable to submit a report to him on any matter concerned with the policing of the chief constable's police area under s.44 of the Police Act 1996.

Chief Constables

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statutory power the Government have to require the dismissal of chief constables; and what powers he exercised in respect of the dismissal of the chief constable of Sussex.

John Denham: Under current provision, a police authority has the powers to call upon its chief constable to retire in the interests of the effectiveness and efficiency of the force. Exercise of that power is subject to the safeguard of requiring the approval of the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State has a reserve power to direct the police authority to take action; where he does so, he is required by statute to appoint an inquiry to consider the circumstances. These powers are contained in sections 11 and 42 respectively of the Police Act 1996, which carried forward powers established under the Police Act 1964.
	The Police Reform Bill, currently before Parliament, contains clauses designed to improve these existing powers, and to make them operate more effectively for all concerned.
	The Secretary of State did not exercise his formal powers under the 1996 Act in relation to the chief constable of Sussex.

Crime Reports

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statutory power the Government have to require the submission of (a) weekly and (b) other reports on specified categories of crime to (i) the Prime Minister, (ii) his Department and (iii) other Ministers.

John Denham: Although sections 45(1) and 58 of the Police Act 1996 enable the Secretary of State to require a range of information to be provided by chief officers, the use of this power has not been considered. The Street Crime Initiative benefits from the committed participation of the 10 police forces involved.

Work Permits

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many work permits were granted in 2001, broken down by category.

Beverley Hughes: A total of 117,386 work permit applications were approved in 2001. The table provides a breakdown by category:
	
		
			 Type of permit Number issued 
		
		
			 Business and commercial 105,016 
			 Sports and entertainments 5,532 
			 Training and work experience 6,838 
			  
			 Total 117,386

Chief Constable, Leicestershire

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met the Chief Constable of Leicestershire in his official capacity.

John Denham: I last met the Chief Constable of Leicestershire Constabulary on Monday 28 January 2002 when I visited his force.

Antisocial Behaviour

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measurements are used to assess antisocial behaviour; and what targets are given for the police to tackle antisocial behaviour.

John Denham: holding answer 10 July 2002
	Antisocial behaviour is assessed using information from the British crime survey which provides a measure of the public's perception of the level of disorder and antisocial behaviour in their area. The police's contribution to the overall target of reducing antisocial behaviour is measured using Best Value Performance Indicator 122, feelings of public safety. This is a subset of the British crime survey data broken down by police force area.

Criminal Records Bureau

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent communications he has had with voluntary organisations and non-governmental bodies with regard to the cost of Criminal Records Bureau disclosure information checks for volunteers; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 18 April 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Gainsborough (Mr. Leigh) on 10 July 2002, Official Report, column 1079W.

HIV/AIDS

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is towards granting leave to remain on compassionate grounds to people who are receiving NHS treatment for HIV or AIDS.

Beverley Hughes: The United Kingdom is a signatory to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR), now given effect in domestic law by the Human Rights Act 1998. Policy for cases involving HIV/AIDS or other serious medical conditions was recently reviewed to ensure compatibility with the Human Rights Act and recent developments in ECHR case law; to ensure a consistent approach in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) towards cases involving consideration of medical issues; and to take account of developments in drug therapy used to treat HIV/AIDS.
	The new policy came into effect for applications made on or after 19 December 2000, and applies to all cases where an applicant is seeking to stay in the United Kingdom because they are suffering from a serious medical condition. Under this policy the United Kingdom's obligations under Article 3 of the ECHR will be engaged where the following requirements are satisfied:
	(i) the United Kingdom can be regarded as having assumed responsibility for a person's care; and
	(ii) there is credible medical evidence that return, due to a complete absence of medical treatment in the country concerned, would significantly reduce the applicant's life expectancy; and
	(iii) subject them to acute physical and mental suffering.
	All applications to stay on medical grounds are given careful individual consideration of their particular circumstances.

Crime (Wandsworth)

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) burglaries, (b) violent crimes, (c) drug offences and (d) thefts of vehicles were recorded by the Wandsworth police division of the Metropolitan police in each of the last five years; and what the total numbers of crimes committed in the division were in those years.

Bob Ainsworth: Numbers of recorded crimes for some offences and groups of offences have been collected centrally by police basic command unit since 1 April 1999, and the data for the years ending March 2000 and 2001 have been published in Home Office Statistical Bulletins 12–00 and 12–01.
	The available details for the Wandsworth Basic Command Unit (BCU) are as follows:
	
		Number of recorded crimes
		
			 Offence/offence group Year ending March 2000 Year ending March 2001 
		
		
			 Domestic burglary 3,379 2,716 
			 Violent crime(24) 6,798 6,580 
			 Theft of vehicle 1,835 1,955 
		
	
	(24) Violent crime consists of violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery.
	The figures for the year ending March 2002 are due to be published on 12 July 2002.

Passports

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the reasons underlying his decision to abolish passport exit controls in 1997.

Beverley Hughes: A detailed study of the residual embarkation control was undertaken against the background of the decision by the Government in 1994, to abolish checks on passengers travelling from sea ports and small airports to continental destinations.
	The residual embarkation control did not contribute to the overall effectiveness of the immigration control but was resource intensive. In 1997, 8 per cent. of the Immigration Service's operational duties were deployed to the operation of the embarkation control. After a lengthy period of consultation with interested parties, the Government decided in March 1998 to replace the routine presence of immigration officers with a new arrangement where the control could be set up at short notice in response to specific operational need. This was combined with an increased use of closed circuit television technology.
	The reconfiguration of the embarkation control means that the Immigration Service can now use its resources more flexibly, concentrating on crucial areas such as clandestine entry, removals and secure border control.

UK Airwave Project

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the UK Airwave Project, stating (a) its agreed cost, (b) how cost overruns will be dealt with and (c) how many suppliers will be able to supply operating equipment to the programme over its lifetime.

John Denham: The projected cost of the Airwave framework arrangement over the next 19 years is £2.9 billion, at 1999 prices.
	Airwave is a private finance initiative (PFI), hence the main contractor, O2, will be required to compensate police authorities for delays or failures on their part that undermine the service or cause additional expense to forces. The contract is structured such that additional costs will only fall to the public sector if changes are made to the agreed specification within the framework arrangement at the request of the contracting authority, the Police Information Technology Organisation.
	It is very difficult to estimate how many suppliers of the relevant equipment there are likely to be over the lifetime of Airwave. In such a market, and with a contract of this length, it is important to maintain an open and competitive supply of equipment, which offers the opportunity to realise future technological advances.

Operation Lancet

Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the Independent Review of Operation Lancet.

John Denham: I am publishing today Operation Lancet—A Case Study Review report. Copies are available in the Library.
	The review contains helpful recommendations about good practice in the investigation of police misconduct and lessons which can be applied in the development of the new police complaints system. We will ensure that the recommendations are taken forward as part of that work.
	I am very grateful to William Taylor and the review team for completing up the review following the sad death of its initial leader, Sir John Hoddinott.

Emergency Calls

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of 999 calls was not answered within 10 seconds in each police force in each year from 1990–91 to 2001–02, ranked from best to worst performance for the most recent year for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: holding answer 8 July 2002
	The information requested is available from 1993 for all police force areas in England and Wales. A complete set of 2001–02 data is not yet complete, but it will be published in Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary's annual report in October, a copy of which is placed in the Library. The information which is available is set out in the table. City of London calls are handled by the Metropolitan police. Police authorities set their own target times for responses to 999 calls and these are given in the table.
	
		999 calls, 1993 to 2000–01
		
			  1993 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97  
			 Force Target time (seconds) Percentage of 999 calls answered within target time Target time (seconds) Percentage of 999 calls answered within target time Target time (seconds) Percentage of 999 calls answered within target time Target time (seconds) Percentage of 999 calls answered within target time 
		
		
			 England and Wales 13 83 13 87 12 87 12 84 
			 Durham 10 95 10 95 10 98 10 97 
			 West Midlands 15 96 15 97 15 95 15 97 
			 Humberside 15 68 15 80 15 80 15 77 
			 Gloucestershire 10 77 15 84 15 86 15 93 
			 Derbyshire 30 — 15 — 15 88 15 90 
			 Suffolk 10 97 10 99 10 89 10 88 
			 Gwent 6 98 6 99 6 99 6 99 
			 West Mercia 10 95 10 93 10 89 10 92 
			 Cumbria 15 99 15 99 10 99 10 99 
			 Essex 10 88 10 85 10 90 10 91 
			 North Wales 10 86 10 88 10 84 10 82 
			 Norfolk 10 86 10 84 10 86 10 73 
			 Warwickshire 15 89 15 92 15 90 15 75 
			 Dyfed-Powys 10 95 10 95 10 96 10 — 
			 Nottinghamshire 20 82 20 87 20 92 15 90 
			 Leicestershire 15 84 15 80 15 69 15 76 
			 Sussex 10 80 10 90 10 91 10 93 
			 Avon and Somerset 10 86 10 88 10 91 10 86 
			 South Yorkshire 30 82 30 84 20 80 20 78 
			 Greater Manchester 15 94 15 96 15 94 15 78 
			 Northamptonshire 10 — 10 93 10 95 10 97 
			 Cambridgeshire 12 94 12 74 12 80 12 82 
			 Merseyside 6 78 6 77 6 57 10 70 
			 Wiltshire 15 93 15 92 15 93 15 88 
			 Thames Valley — — 10 86 10 88 10 92 
			 West Yorkshire 15 77 15 79 15 78 15 77 
			 Lancashire 10 91 10 87 10 93 10 96 
			 Surrey 15 85 15 95 15 87 15 93 
			 Cheshire 15 — 15 91 15 94 15 92 
			 South Wales 10 87 10 81 10 80 10 84 
			 North Yorkshire 5 66 5 78 5 78 5 82 
			 Bedfordshire 10 84 10 86 15 86 15 85 
			 Kent 10 92 10 95 10 89 10 92 
			 Hertfordshire 20 96 20 95 20 92 10 76 
			 Devon and Cornwall 10 89 10 89 10 84 10 93 
			 Metropolitan police 15 86 15 81 15 89 15 90 
			 Staffordshire 15 92 15 93 15 93 15 92 
			 Dorset 10 84 10 85 10 82 10 77 
			
			 Northumbria 15 85 15 91 15 94 15 93 
			 Cleveland 20 97 20 98 15 96 10 91 
			 Hampshire 10 85 10 88 10 86 10 — 
			 City of London (25)— (25)— (25)— (25)— (25)— (25)— (25)— (25)— 
			 Lincolnshire 10 92 10 93 10 95 10 95 
		
	
	(25) Data collected by the Metropolitan Police Service
	
		
			  1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01  
			 Force Target time (seconds) Percentage of 999 calls answered within target time Target time (seconds) Percentage of 999 calls answered within target time Target time (seconds) Percentage of 999 calls answered within target time Target time (seconds) Percentage of 999 calls answered within target time 
		
		
			 England and Wales 12 89 11 89 12 84 11 87 
			 Durham 10 97 10 98 10 98 10 99 
			 West Midlands 15 98 15 98 15 97 15 97 
			 Humberside 15 86 15 96 15 94 15 96 
			 Gloucestershire 12 97 12 94 12 95 12 95 
			 Derbyshire 15 94 10 86 10 92 10 94 
			 Suffolk 10 96 10 98 10 95 10 94 
			 Gwent 6 99 6 98 6 93 6 93 
			 West Mercia 10 92 10 94 10 93 10 92 
			 Cumbria 10 98 10 99 10 98 10 92 
			 Essex 10 79 10 78 15 86 15 92 
			 North Wales 10 86 10 89 10 88 10 92 
			 Norfolk 10 70 10 87 10 93 10 91 
			 Warwickshire 15 77 15 82 15 91 15 91 
			 Dyfed-Powys 8 92 8 80 8 92 8 91 
			 Nottinghamshire 15 88 15 89 15 90 15 90 
			 Leicestershire 15 86 15 92 15 90 15 90 
			 Sussex 10 89 10 86 10 81 10 90 
			 Avon and Somerset 10 86 10 92 10 90 10 90 
			 South Yorkshire 15 77 15 86 15 88 15 90 
			 Greater Manchester 15 81 15 86 15 85 15 90 
			 Northamptonshire 10 97 10 98 10 95 10 89 
			 Cambridgeshire 12 82 12 81 12 90 12 89 
			 Merseyside 10 87 10 90 10 90 10 89 
			 Wiltshire 15 89 15 96 15 96 10 88 
			 Thames Valley 10 92 10 92 10 89 10 88 
			 West Yorkshire 15 89 15 90 15 86 15 86 
			 Lancashire 10 95 10 93 10 92 10 86 
			 Surrey 15 95 15 94 15 86 15 86 
			 Cheshire 14 90 14 89 15 84 15 86 
			 South Wales 10 81 10 80 10 79 10 86 
			 North Yorkshire 5 87 5 88 5 86 5 85 
			 Bedfordshire 15 79 15 77 15 77 15 85 
			 Kent 10 92 10 93 10 95 10 85 
			 Hertfordshire 10 84 10 72 10 83 10 84 
			 Devon and Cornwall 10 93 10 93 10 86 10 84 
			 Metropolitan police 15 91 15 87 15 71 15 84 
			 Staffordshire 15 89 15 87 15 79 10 83 
			 Dorset 10 76 10 78 10 81 10 80 
			 Northumbria 15 89 10 86 10 80 10 79 
			 Cleveland 10 95 10 95 10 92 10 79 
			 Hampshire 10 83 10 83 10 80 10 74 
			 City of London (26)— (26)— (26)— (26)— (26)— (26)— (26)— (26)— 
			 Lincolnshire 10 95 10 95 10 92 10 n/a 
		
	
	(26) Data collected by the Metropolitan Police Service

Robbery

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the most recent estimated annual cost to (a) public funds, (b) private citizens and (c) insurance companies is of robbery.

John Denham: holding answer 11 July 2002
	The most recent publicly available estimates of annual costs of robbery were published in Home Office Research Study 217 "The Economic and Social Costs of Crime" in December 2000.
	(a) The annual cost to public funds of robbery
	The estimated annual cost of robbery to public funds in 1999–2000 is £770 million. This figure includes costs to both the criminal justice system and health services.
	(b) The annual cost to private citizens of robbery
	The estimated annual cost of robbery to private citizens in 1999–2000 is £1.5 billion. This includes the value of property stolen and the physical impact of the crime on the victim.
	(c) The annual cost to insurance companies of robbery
	A rough estimate of the annual insurance administration costs associated with robbery is £19.6 million. Insurance administration costs are harder to estimate than costs to public funds or private citizens.

Mentoring Projects

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the mentoring projects in receipt of grant funding over the next three years.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 11 July 2002
	The information requested is given in the table.
	
		£ 
		
			 Name of organisation Amount of grant 2002–03 Amount of grant 2003–04 Amount of grant 2004–05 
		
		
			 African Family Support Centre 40,112 46,312 NIL 
			 Age Concern Cambridgeshire 49,999 53,138 NIL 
			 Age Concern Ledbury and District 19,498 20,044 NIL 
			 Big Brothers and Sisters 200,000 200,000 NIL 
			 Bishop Creighton House 24,421 28,604 NIL 
			 Bolton Lads and Girls 57,400 59,398 NIL 
			 Carlisle Mencap 12,028 12,392 NIL 
			 Chance (UK) Ltd 47,089 48,548 NIL 
			 Dines Green Streets Ahead 29,649 30,505 NIL 
			 Enfield Business Education Partnership 21,500 22,800 NIL 
			 Family Service Units 26,117 32,139 NIL 
			 FOCUS 38,712 38,712 NIL 
			 Fun in Action for Children 30,000 40,000 NIL 
			 Home Start Bournemouth 24,500 25,113 NIL 
			 Home Start Nottingham 31,368 32,151 NIL 
			 Home Start Sittingbourne and Sheppey 12,715 13,034 NIL 
			 Home Start Stoke-on-Trent 35,811 37,259 NIL 
			 Home Start Wisbech 28,250 29,500 NIL 
			 Lambeth Wellcare 30,157 31,033 NIL 
			 NECA Services Ltd 50,319 51,384 NIL 
			 Northorpe Hall Trust 35,661 37,490 NIL 
			 One to One Youth Befriending 58,187 60,916 NIL 
			 PACT Community Projects 30,938 31,711 NIL 
			 RAMP- The Renewal Programme 48,435 65,622 NIL 
			 REACH 43,900 46,425 NIL 
			 RPS Rainer 51,413 54,413 NIL 
			 SCOPE (Ref M452) 50,000 50,000 NIL 
			 SCOPE (Ref M384) 44,803 45,982 NIL 
			 Second City, Second Chance 16,125 15,430 NIL 
			 SENSE 16,830 26,775 NIL 
			 Somerset Youth Voluntary Network 45,000 45,000 NIL 
			 SOVA 49,447 49,797 NIL 
			 Swindon Education Business Partnership 27,000 27,000 NIL 
			 Terence Higgins Trust 25,337 26,096 NIL 
			 The Befriending Network 40,000 42,500 NIL 
			 The Kings Cross Project 28,354 29,204 NIL 
			 The Leonard Cheshire Foundation 58,369 59,267 NIL 
			 The London Connection 12,161 NIL NIL 
			 Those on the Margins of Society 50,000 50,000 NIL 
			 National Mentoring Network(27) 600,000 601,500 NIL 
		
	
	(27) (Mentor points) 25 per cent. costs funded by Department for Education and Skills.

Police Recruitment

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects (a) the project establishing national recruitment standards for the police service to be completed and (b) the national recruitment standards to come into effect for all police services in the United Kingdom; and (c) what representations have been made by the Durham Constabulary regarding their eyesight criteria to the project establishing national recruitment standards.

John Denham: The information is as follows:
	(a) it is the intention to complete the work of the National Recruitment Standards Project during 2003.
	(b) national recruitment standards on eligibility criteria and fitness have already been introduced.
	New job related medical and eyesight standards are expected by the end of 2002.
	A new recruitment application form for the police service is expected to be introduced by January 2003.
	A new national assessment and selection process for police recruits is due to be phased in later this year and over 2003.
	(c) The Home Office provides guidance to forces on eyesight standards. The present guidance for eyesight is that candidates' unaided vision must be 6/24 or better in either eye and aided vision must be 6/12 or better in either eye, 6/6 or better binocularly. All forces were asked to apply the standards consistently pending the outcome of the research to develop new job-related eyesight standards.
	Durham Constabulary informed the Home Office of a pilot scheme which they had run. During this pilot they had lowered their unaided vision to 6/60, provided candidates could achieve a vision of 6/6 with the assistance of contact lenses. This had allowed them to recruit seven additional people. However, in order to co-operate with the Home Office request, the pilot scheme was terminated on 1 August 2001.

Drug Treatment and Testing Orders

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the target for the number of referrals to drug treatment through drug treatment and testing orders in 2000–01 was not met.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 11 July 2002
	Drug Treatment and Testing Orders (DTTOs) were rolled out from October 2000. No formal target for the number of Orders was set for 2000–01. 2001–02 was the first full year of their operation and saw 4,835 DTTOs—over 80 per cent. of our target of approximately 6,000. Some DTTO programmes were affected by local implementation problems, mainly relating to treatment capacity to handle referrals. Arrangements are now in place to ensure any difficulties are closely monitored and dealt with as they arise. Our ability to maintain effective operation is enhanced by the good working arrangements in place with the Department of Health and the National Treatment Agency to address problems quickly. The rate of the upward trend in DTTOs indicates that we should be on track to meet our target of 6,000 Orders in 2002–03.

PSA Targets

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when he will announce the outcome of his review of the PSA target to reduce the availability of class A drugs by 25 per cent. by 2005 and by 50 per cent. by 2008;
	(2)  when the review of the target for the proportion of people under 25 using class A drugs will be completed.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 11 July 2002
	The hon. Member for Buckingham has asked two questions about the drugs strategy targets. The reply to each question is the same and I am therefore responding to them together.
	The review of drugs strategy targets forms part of the current spending review (SR2002).

Mrs. Zakir Ahmadyar

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will inquire into the case of Mrs. Zakir Ahmadyar to deal with the questions raised in the letter of 27 June, from the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable); and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  when he will reply to the letter of 27 June from the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on Mrs. Zakir Ahmadyar; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The issues summarised in the hon. Member's letter of 27 June were the subject of communications between the hon. Member and my Private Office between 7 June and 17 June.
	My letter to him dated 8 July sought to apologise for those aspects of the handling of this case that were not satisfactory, as well as to explain the reasons for my decision.
	I am meeting the hon. Member soon to discuss this matter further.

Speeding Convictions

David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drivers have lost their licence to drive as a result of speeding convictions in each of the last five years.

John Denham: Information for England and Wales for the years 1996 to 2000 (latest available) is given in the table.
	
		
			 Disqualifications imposed Number of offences 
		
		
			 1996 9,587 
			 1997 10,061 
			 1998 12,215 
			 1999 12,050 
			 2000 11,283

Police Standards Unit

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Police Standards Unit was established; how much it cost in 2001; how many staff it employs; and what its remit is.

John Denham: holding answer 17 July 2002
	The first members of the Police Standards Unit started in post on 9 July 2001. The staffing compliment of the Unit is 29. To date £709,000 has been spent on the Unit.
	The Unit's terms of reference, as set out in the White Paper 'Policing a New Century: a blueprint for reform' are as follows:
	The Standards Unit exists to deliver the Government's commitment to raise standards and improve operational performance in the police and in crime reduction generally in order to maintain and enhance public satisfaction with policing in their area.
	Its core objective will be to identify and disseminate best practice in the prevention, detection and apprehension of crime in all forces in order to reduce crime and disorder as well as the fear of crime.
	The Unit will:
	Work with forces and Basic Command Units (BCUs) to ensure the most effective use of intelligence, detection and successful prosecution procedures;
	Identify BCUs or forces performing below their best based on Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) reports, statistical information, or particular cases of concern;
	Engage directly with the BCU or force to establish the nature of the problems, the extent to which best practice may be lacking, and the remedial action required;
	Engage similarly with other local agencies where it is apparent that they are contributing significantly to the causes of poor performance;
	Identify where, in exceptional circumstances, combined cross-cutting measures engaging other agencies are required to focus on and achieve early change within a specific geographic area or BCU boundary;
	Draw validated best practice from HMIC, National Police Training, the Crime Reduction College and other agencies, spread its use through local engagement, and identify for professional evaluation any new examples or techniques it comes across;
	Have a capacity to provide short-term funding to support the remedial action it has identified and which could not otherwise be undertaken;
	Identify cases in which the Home Secretary should consider the use of powers under the Police Act (1996), the Local Government Act (1999), or other relevant legislation;
	Identify issues which raise policy, technical or legal questions for the Home Office to address.

Police Standards Unit

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the work carried out to date by Dr Kevin Bond in respect of the Police Standards Unit.

John Denham: holding answer 13 June 2002
	Dr. Kevin Bond took up post on 7 January 2002. Under his leadership, the Police Standards Unit (PSU) is now developing a number of projects related to police performance management and the identification and dissemination of good practice in key areas.

Parliamentary Questions

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many staff were involved in each of the last three years in preparing draft answers to written parliamentary questions;
	(2)  what the cost was to his Department of answering written parliamentary questions in 2001; and how that cost was calculated.

Beverley Hughes: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend, Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Cook) on 17 April 2002, Official Report, column 929W. The Home Office answered 4,067 written questions in 2001, at an approximate cost of £516,195.

Imported Labour

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many documented cases his Department have received from the Professional Contractors Group relating to employers in the technology sector importing labour from abroad in an effort to reduce employment costs; and what steps are being taken by his Department to ensure that the work permit system is not abused in this way.

Beverley Hughes: In March 2002, the Professional Contractors Group (PCG) provided Work Permits UK (WPUK) Allegations team a dossier of 85 cases (relating to 61 separate employers) specifically relating to the replacement of United Kingdom Information Technology contractors with lower paid employees from overseas.
	Most of the cases are complaints about employment policies of employers, rather than specific allegations of abuse of the work permit arrangements, and as such it does not warrant any further action by Work Permits (UK). 12 cases contained specific information about abuse of the work permit arrangements, and these are being pursued by WPUK. A list has been returned to PCG setting out whether cases continue to be investigated.
	The overall aim of the work permit arrangements is to strike the right balance between enabling employers to recruit or transfer skilled people from abroad while safeguarding the interests of the resident work force. However, the arrangements cover only those vacancies which are to be filled by an employee working on a PAYE basis, and as such, there are safeguards to ensure that resident workers willing to work on such a basis are not disadvantaged.
	In the cases provided by the PCG, it is apparent that the majority refer to a 'contractor' being replaced by an incoming 'employee' (under PAYE). It is a commercial decision by the employer whether they offer employment terms on a self-employment, contractual or direct PAYE basis.

Imported Labour

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many work permit applications have been (a) granted and (b) refused by Work Permits UK on the grounds of shortage occupations criteria in each month since June 2001;
	(2)  how many permit applications Work Permits UK have approved on the grounds of shortage occupations criteria when the specific skills possessed have been described as IT skills.

Beverley Hughes: Work Permits UK currently operates shortage occupation lists in respect of the Information Technology (IT), health care and engineering sectors and a fourth list in respect of other miscellaneous shortage occupations, which currently includes actuaries, Civil Aviation Authority licensed aircraft engineers, teachers and veterinary surgeons.
	The following table sets out the number of work permits approved and refused in each month in the period between I June 2001 and 30 June 2002 under shortage occupations criteria and those approved specifically under shortage occupations criteria in the IT sector in the same period:
	
		
			   Work permit applications under shortage occupation criteria (all)  Work permit applications under shortage occupation criteria (IT sector)  
			  Approved Refused Approved Refused 
		
		
			 2001 
			 June 4,381 72 1,139 30 
			 July 4,979 120 1,126 27 
			 August 4,420 99 1,197 32 
			 September 3,617 117 1,142 55 
			 October 4,428 97 1,315 40 
			 November 3,975 95 1,188 28 
			 December 3,393 142 926 33 
			  
			 2002 
			 January 4,392 211 1,476 72 
			 February 4,082 303 1,543 99 
			 March 4,617 321 1,596 148 
			 April 4,439 253 1,270 149 
			 May 4,606 255 1,136 122 
			 June 3,916 150 834 71 
			  
			 Total 55,245 2,235 15,888 906

Civil Contingencies Secretariat

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 619W, on the Civil Contingencies Secretariat, if he will list (a) the members of the civil contingencies committee and (b) what reports it has made in the last five years; and if he will place the reports in the Library.

David Blunkett: The only standing member of the Civil Contingencies Committee is the Chairman, the (Home Secretary). Others, including Her Majesty's Treasury and the devolved Administrations, are invited to attend, depending on the contingency.
	The Terms of Reference of the Civil Contingencies Committee are:
	"to co-ordinate the preparation of plans for ensuring in an emergency the supplies and services essential to the life of the community; to keep these plans under regular review; and to supervise their prompt and effective implementation in specific emergencies".
	The Civil Contingencies Committee has therefore made no reports in the last five years. However, I did update parliamentary colleagues by letter on this work on 1 November last year.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 30 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton to Mrs. Vida Obiri.

David Blunkett: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 12 July 2002.

Pathology

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the (a) functions and (b) terms of reference of the Policy Advisory Board for Forensic Pathology are; how, and for how long, the board was appointed; what the membership is and who the officers of the board are; how it is serviced; and how many times it has met in the last year;
	(2)  how many pathologists are approved for working with the police and coroners on suspicious deaths; what qualifications are required for a pathologist to be approved; in what circumstances a pathologist may be removed from the approved list; on how many occasions the disciplinary tribunal has met in the past 10 years; and what the results were of its deliberations.

John Denham: holding answer 18 June 2002
	The Police Advisory Board for Forensic Pathology, advises the Home Secretary on forensic pathology matters with particular reference to the national aspects of forensic pathology services in England and Wales, such as appointment and accreditation, quality assurance, training and Research and Development. The Board was set up by the then Home Secretary in 1990; there was no specified time limit to the Board.
	A copy of the Terms of Reference of the Board and a list of the current numbers has been placed in the Library.
	Officers of the Board are Anthony Whitehead (chair) who is also the head of Science and Technology Unit (STU) in the Home Office and Trevor Rothwell (Secretary). The Board is served by the two officers and STU. The Board meets annually. It last met in January 2001.
	There are currently 48 pathologists on the Home Office Register of Forensic Pathologist approved for working with the police on suspicious deaths.
	Before applying to be put on the register pathologists must:
	have a medical degree
	be a member of the Royal College of Pathologists
	have at least six months experience at an approved centre for training.
	In addition they must also have either
	the Diploma in Forensic Pathologists (through the Royal College of Pathologists)
	or
	the Diploma in Medical Jurisprudence (through the Society of Apothecaries).
	A pathologist not found to be performing appropriately in the first two years of his or her time as a Registrant, can be removed from the Register as the initial approval is time limited. Otherwise pathologists can be removed from the register by invoking the Board's Complaints and Disciplinary Procedures. Suspension or removal from the register is dependent on the outcome of a hearing of a Disciplinary Tribunal.
	In the last 10 years a disciplinary tribunal has been convened once. This Tribunal recused itself before the completion of the hearing.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Press Subscriptions

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the newspapers subscribed to (a) Monday to Saturday and (b) on Sunday by his Department, stating for each subscription (i) the number of copies taken, and (ii) the annual cost.

Nick Brown: holding answer 26 April 2002
	The information requested is in the table.
	
		DWP Library subscription to Newspapers as of 26 April 2002— -- cost showing annual average figure
		
			 Newspaper Number Cost (£) 
		
		
			 Monday-Friday   
			 Financial Times 27 6,480.00 
			 Times 21 2,016.00 
			 Daily Telegraph 18 2,160.00 
			 Guardian 19 2,280.00 
			 Independent 18 2,160.00 
			 Daily Mail 13 1,248.00 
			 The Express 8 672.00 
			 Daily Mirror 12 844.80 
			 Sun 11 792.00 
			 Eastern Daily Press 1 240.00 
			 Le-Monde 1 240.00 
			 Daily Star 7 504.00 
			 Daily Record 3 252.00 
			 Evening Standard 8 756.00 
			 Evening Standard—News extra 10 840.00 
			 Scotsman 4 480.00 
			 Morning Star 2 288.00 
			 Liverpool Echo 2 480.00 
			 Manchester Evening News 1 240.00 
			  
			 Total number and (annual costs) 186 22,972.80 
			
			 Saturday   
			 Times 2 67.20 
			 Daily Telegraph 2 — 
			 Guardian 2 96.00 
			 Independent 2 86.40 
			 Daily Mail 1 28.80 
			 The Express 2 24.00 
			 Daily Mirror 1 21.60 
			 Sun 1 19.20 
			 Le-Monde 1 48.00 
			 Daily Star 1 16.80 
			 Daily Record 1 19.20 
			 Scotsman 1 48.00 
			  
			 Total number and (annual costs) 17 475.20 
			
			 Sunday   
			 Sunday FT 8 384.00 
			 Sunday Times 2 115.20 
			 Sunday Telegraph 2 96.00 
			 Sunday Observer 2 115.20 
			 Sunday Independent 2 115.20 
			 Mail on Sunday 1 52.80 
			 The Sunday Express 1 48.00 
			 Sunday Mirror 1 48.00 
			 News of the World 1 31.20 
			 Sunday People 1 31.20 
			 Sunday Post — 31.20 
			 Scotland on Sunday — 38.40 
			 Sunday Business 1 24.00 
			  
			 Total number and (annual costs) 22 1,130.40

Ministerial Meetings

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which Ministers and officials had meetings with representatives of (a) the Confederation of British Industry, (b) the Engineering Employees Federation, and (c) the Engineering Marine Training Authority during the last year; who they met; and what the subjects and outcomes of their discussions were.

Maria Eagle: During the last year Ministers and officials have met with all three of these organisations on a number of occasions.

New Deal

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many New Deal schemes (a) he and (b) his Ministers have visited since 7 June 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Since 7 June 2001, Ministers in this Department have made over 30 visits to New Deal schemes and related events.

Carers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was paid to carers through benefits and services in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: The requested information about benefit expenditure on carers is in the table.
	Carers can also be supported by services provided by local authorities and the NHS. In addition, local authorities in England were given powers to make direct payments to carers and people with parental responsibility for disabled children in April 2001. Information about the amount of money disbursed as direct payments was not collected centrally. Expenditure on such payments made by local authorities in Scotland and Wales are matters for the Scottish Executive and for the National Assembly for Wales, respectively.
	
		Benefit expenditure in Great Britain on carers—1996–97 to 2001–02
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 1996–97 18,300 
			 1997–98 16,950 
			 1998–99 18,650 
			 1999–2000 19,400 
			 2000–01 19,400 
		
	
	Notes:
	Based on estimates from the Family Resources Survey (FRS), 1996–97 to 2000–01, applied to actual benefit expenditure.
	1. Figures are estimates based on the Family Resources Survey (FRS), applied to outturn expenditure on each benefit. 2000–01 is the latest year for which data are available.
	2. Carers are those who give help on an informal basis, not as part of a paid job. This includes children who care for others.
	3. On the FRS survey, what should be counted as care is not prescriptively defined. Respondents are asked about care between household members, and about care given to those outside the household.
	4. The estimates are based on sample counts that have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors that control for region, council tax band and a number of demographic variables. Estimates are subject to sampling error and to variability in non-response.
	5. Benefit receipt on the FRS is based on self-assessment and therefore may be subject to misreporting.
	6. Figures are rounded to the nearest £50 million.
	The carer status is a result of what the respondent says rather than the application on an objective definition.

Castle Award

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if his Department has applied for a Castle award for equal pay.

Ian McCartney: The Department for Work and Pensions has not applied for a Castle award for equal pay. The Department is however, fully committed to ensuring that equal pay remains a priority. To achieve this objective, an equal pay review was commissioned in 2001–02, undertaken by independent consultants. The review was completed earlier this year and the findings are currently under consideration.

Attendance Allowance (Scotland)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions where he allocated the money for attendance allowance in Scotland following the decision of the Scottish Executive to implement free personal care for older people.

Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given to the hon. Member for Perth (Annabelle Ewing), on 21 January 2002, Official Report, column 633W.

Parliamentary Questions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the section of his Department's guidance note on replying to written parliamentary questions requiring parliamentary questions to be answered fully, and pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 22 January 2002, Official Report column 808W, for what reason the information requested on 10 June 2002, Official Report, columns 872–73W, was not held in the format requested.

Ian McCartney: The answer to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 22 January 2002, Official Report, column 808W, was in response to his question regarding the cost of administering child benefit and working families tax credit. The estimated cost of administering child benefit was taken from the 1998–99 financial year. The estimated cost of administering working families tax credit was provided by Inland Revenue.
	The answer provided on 10 June was in response to the hon. Member's request for a variety of individual items, including some sub-components of retirement benefit. The estimated cost of administering benefits is not maintained at such a detailed level. Consequently, it was not possible to provide a reply covering every item listed.
	However, in an attempt to be as helpful as possible, the answer given on 10 June 2002, Official Report, columns 872–73W also explained that the Department for Work and Pensions now accounts for its administrative and programme expenditure in accordance with its key objectives, which are published in the Department's Public Service Agreement (PSA), and the individual Requests for Resources (RfRs), which are published in the Department's Main Estimate.

Parliamentary Questions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many written parliamentary questions to his Department have been tabled in each month since May 1997.

Maria Eagle: Such information as is available is in the tables.
	
		
			 Month Written questions tabled 
		
		
			 2001  
			 June 108 
			 July 291 
			 September 9 
			 October 371 
			 November 579 
			 December 294 
			   
			 2002  
			 January 432 
			 February 337 
			 March 453 
			 April 249 
			 May 239 
			 June 240 
		
	
	
		
			 Parliamentary session Written questions tabled 
		
		
			 2000–01 1,097 
			 1999–2000 2,593 
			 1998–99 1,980 
			 1997–98 3,384

Appeals

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 26 June 2002, Official Report, columns 941–42W, on appeals, (a) how many appeals were heard, (b) how many appeals were found in favour of the appellant and (c) what percentage of appeals were found in favour of the appellant, in each of the last four years for (i) attendance allowance, (ii) disability living allowance and (iii) incapacity benefit.

Maria Eagle: This is a matter for Neil Ward, Chief Executive of the Appeals Service. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Neil Ward to Mr. Paul Holmes, dated 11 July 2002
	The Secretary of State has asked me to respond to your recent parliamentary questions on the subject of appeals against attendance allowance, disability living allowance; and, incapacity benefit. The available information is as follows:
	
		
			 Year (ending April) Case load as at 30 November (thousand) Number of appeals cleared at hearing Number of appeals found in favour of the appellant Percentage of appeals found in favour of the appellant 
		
		
			 (i) Attendance Allowance 
			 2000 1,291.3 7,640 3,420 44.8 
			 2001 1,295.4 10,830 5,030 46.4 
			  
			 (ii) Disability Living Allowance 
			 2000 2,197.7 62,815 30,090 47.9 
			 2001 2,298.0 86,325 45,150 52.3 
			  
			 (iii) Incapacity Benefit 
			 2000 2,310.4 42,285 16,660 40.4 
			 2001 2,342.9 33,910 14,185 41.8 
		
	
	Figures are not available prior to 2000, as a change in the method of recording the type of appeal in the Generic Appeals Processing System as part of the introduction of Decision Making and Appeals regulations resulted in certain benefits being mapped incorrectly.
	I hope this is helpful.

Asperger's Syndrome

Valerie Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to support and develop the work of Prospects, the employment scheme for people with Asperger's syndrome.

Maria Eagle: The Department has a contract with the National Autistic Society's Prospects service to develop and test ways of helping people with Asperger's syndrome into work.
	This project provides us with a valuable opportunity to support a group of disabled people with entrenched problems resulting from their disabilities, and to learn about the provision of a specialist employment service for people with disabilities by a small voluntary organisation working in partnership with the public services.
	Evaluation of the project will improve our knowledge of how to support people suffering from this condition and will help the National Autistic Society in further developing the service for its clients.

State Pension

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 19 June 2002, Official Report, columns 407–08W, why the Government decided that the higher uprating of the basic state pension should apply to basic state pension increments from April 2002.

Ian McCartney: The decision was taken in order for the increments to maintain their proportionate value.

State Pension

Harry Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many self-employed people receive the full basic State Pension; and what percentage of the total this is.

Ian McCartney: We do not collect information on the number of formerly self-employed people who have given up work and now receive a State Pension.
	The number of people working in a self-employed capacity and aged above State Pension age (60 for women; 65 for men) is in the table.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Females over the State Pension age 94,000 
			 Males over the State Pension age 120,000 
			  
			 Total 214,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures in the table are from the Labour Force Survey—Winter 2001.
	2. The latest total number of people in Great Britain in receipt of a State Pension is 10.3 million—September 2001 administrative data.
	The total of 214,000 represents about 2 per cent. of the total number of people receiving a State Pension.

State Pension

Harry Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of (a) men and (b) women had contributed to national insurance for under 25 per cent. of the years required to receive the full basic State Pension in the latest 12 months for which figures are available.

Ian McCartney: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.
	
		Percentage 
		
			   Proportion of single people and couples over State Pension age and receiving a State Retirement Pension 2000–01 
		
		
			  All single pensioners and pensioner couples 
			 Pensioner couples 99 
			 Single male pensioners 98 
			 Single female pensioners 98 
			 Total 98 
			   
			  Recently retired single pensioners and pensioner couples(28),(29),(30),(31) 
			 Pensioner couples 98 
			 Single male pensioners 96 
			 Single female pensioners 94 
			 Total 97 
		
	
	(28) It is possible to defer claiming State Pension for up to five years. Therefore, particularly among the recently retired pensioners, there will be people with entitlement to a State Pension who do not yet receive an income from their pension.
	(29) These results are based on Table 8 of the Pensioners' Incomes Series 2000–01.
	(30) Figures for Retirement Pension also include the other contributory benefits for the elderly, Widows' Benefits and Incapacity Benefit.
	(31) Recently retired pensioner units are defined as: single women aged 60–64; single men aged 65–69; and couples in which the man is aged 65–69.

State Pension

Harry Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of (a) men and (b) women receive the full basic State Pension.

Ian McCartney: The percentages of males and females who are entitled to a Basic State Pension and who receive the full basic State Pension are as set out in the table.
	
		
			   Percentage of males and females who are entitled to a basic State Pension and who receive the full basic State Pension 
		
		
			 Male 91 
			 Female 83 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The figures are rounded to the nearest percentage point.
	1. The figures are taken from administrative data on 30 September 2001.
	2. Figures are for Great Britain.
	3. The table includes everyone in receipt of a Category A, AB, ABL, B, BL, or D State Pension.
	4. Full pension refers to people in receipt of the maximum amount of basic State Pension that applies to the category of pension they receive.

Child Support Agency

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many times the Child Support Agency has requested information from the Inland Revenue regarding the income of self-employed non-resident parents; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Mr. Doug Smith to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 15 July 2002
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply by me.
	You have asked how many times the Child Support Agency has requested information from the Inland Revenue regarding the income of self employed non-resident parents.
	In the year to 31st March 2002 the Child Support Agency issued 19,182 self-employed earnings enquiries to the Inland Revenue's Tax Information Distribution Office. In the immediately preceding year 9,121 enquiries were made.
	I hope this is helpful.

Benefits (Promotion)

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the answer of 5 July 2002, Official Report, column 629W, what the total cost was of advertising and promoting benefits in 2000–01, broken down by each campaign.

Nick Brown: The total cost of advertising social security benefits in 2000–01 was £4.4 million. Production, distribution and other costs totalled a further £3 million.
	The breakdown of spend is shown in the following table:
	
		£ 
		
			 Campaign Advertising and media Other costs 
		
		
			 Minimum Income Guarantee 3,365,000 176,000 
			 Inherited SERPS 340,000 345,000 
			 Winter Fuel Payments 616,000 294,000 
			 Bereavement Benefits 155,000 90,000 
			 Benefits information leaflets for customers and advisers— production and distribution (32)— 2,132,419. 
		
	
	(32) Promoted through posters, exhibitions, conferences and the internet. Individual spends could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

HEALTH

Taiwan

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support he has provided to the Government of Taiwan in support of Taiwan's application for observer status at the World Health Organisation.

David Lammy: Taiwan's relationship to the World Health Organisation was discussed at the world health assembly general committee in May 2002. There was no consensus in the committee for the matter to be discussed in the main assembly session.

Foster Carers

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many foster carers there are in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) the North-east and (c) England; how many foster carers there were in each year from 1997 to 2001 in (i) Jarrow constituency, (ii) the North-east and (iii) England; and what his Department is doing to address the need for foster carers.

Jacqui Smith: There is no central statistical collection in this area. Foster carer data are collected through the training support grant (TSP), and this relates to approved foster carers. Data can be found in the table shown. Figures are available from 1998 only.
	Foster carer recruitment is a very important area, in which a lot of work is being taken forward. The Department is currently undertaking a major review ("Choice Protects") of the commissioning of placements, with a special emphasis on foster care services—so that choice and stability of placements may be improved for children in care. Within this, we will be examining:
	Role and status of foster carers;
	Recruitment and retention;
	What support services are required;
	Best ways to reward foster carers;
	The training needs of foster carers.
	
		Details of the numbers of approved foster carers taken from the TSP application forms for the five years 1998–99 to 2002–03
		
			  Local authority names Directly contracted by local council Contracted via Independent agency  Total number of foster carers 
		
		
			 1998–99
			  LAs covered by Jarrow and Hebburn  
			 Gateshead 133 0 133 
			 South Tyneside 142 0 142 
			 
			  North East  
			 Darlington 48 0 48 
			 Durham 237 1 238 
			 Gateshead 133 0 133 
			 Hartlepool 72 1 73 
			 Middlesbrough 110 0 110 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 230 0 230 
			 North Tyneside 140 0 140 
			 Northumberland 17 0 170 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 70 0 70 
			 South Tyneside 142 0 142 
			 Sunderland 218 0 218 
			 England totals 29,805 845 30,650 
			
			 1999–2000
			  LAs covered by Jarrow and Hebburn  
			 Gateshead 120 2 122 
			 South Tyneside 142 0 142 
			 
			  North East  
			 Darlington 54 8 62 
			 Durham 256 1 257 
			 Gateshead 120 2 122 
			 Hartlepool 69 3 72 
			 Middlesbrough 70 2 72 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 203 25 228 
			 North Tyneside 185 2 187 
			 Northumberland 160 2 162 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 65 0 65 
			 South Tyneside 142 0 142 
			 Sunderland 218 0 218 
			 England totals 30,166 1,085 31,251 
			 
			 2000–01
			  LAs covered by Jarrow and Hebburn  
			 Gateshead 120 0 120 
			 South Tyneside 142 0 142 
			 
			 North East
			 Darlington 59 7 66 
			 Durham 215 0 215 
			 Gateshead 120 0 120 
			 Hartlepool 67 0 67 
			 Middlesbrough 77 3 80 
			 Newcastle upon tyne 270 37 307 
			 North Tyneside 135 0 135 
			 Northumberland 140 2 142 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 70 0 70 
			 South Tyneside 142 0 142 
			 Sunderland 218 0 218 
			 England totals 30,645 1,532 32,177 
			 
			 2001–02
			  LAs covered by Jarrow and Hebburn  
			 Gateshead 130 0 130 
			 South Tyneside 97 15 112 
			 
			 North East
			 Darlington 49 12 61 
			 Durham 215 0 215 
			 Gateshead 130 0 130 
			 Hartlepool 67 0 67 
			 Middlesbrough 86 11 97 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 321 19 340 
			 North Tyneside 140 0 140 
			 Northumberland 172 2 174 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 70 0 70 
			 South Tyneside 97 15 112 
			 Sunderland 238 0 238 
			 England totals 30,342 2,023 32,365 
			 
			 2002–03
			  LAs covered by Jarrow and Hebburn  
			 Gateshead 130 0 130 
			 South Tyneside 61 0 61 
			 
			 North East
			 Darlington 51 0 51 
			 Durham 225 0 225 
			 Gateshead 130 0 130 
			 Hartlepool 54 1 55 
			 Middlesbrough 99 9 108 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 290 28 318 
			 North Tyneside 155 0 155 
			 Northumberland 172 2 174 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 61 0 61 
			 South Tyneside 61 0 61 
			 Sunderland 301 0 301 
			 England totals 30,353 1,206 31,559

Birth Statistics

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to address women's health issues regarding (a) premature birth, (b) still birth and (c) miscarriage.

Jacqui Smith: In order to improve the wellbeing of pregnant women and outcome for babies, the Department has:
	Commissioned the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to issue clinical guidelines on:
	use of electronic fetal monitoring—this helps evaluation of fetal wellbeing in labour with the aim of reducing perinatal mortality and cerebral palsy of the newborn.
	induction of labour—which provides safe clinical practices to reduce perinatal mortality.
	use of Anti D prophylaxis for rhesus negative mothers—which helps prevent Haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) and still births.
	Further guidelines are awaited on antenatal care and caesarean sections, both of which will further help reduce fetal risks.
	Extended the Sure Start programme which helps families in disadvantaged areas to support to women in the antenatal period as well, since women in these areas are more likely to have still births, pre mature births and miscarriages.
	Invested to increase the number of midwives to provide additional support throughout pregnancy and childbirth.
	Commenced the development of a children's national service framework (NSF) including maternity services. The overarching aim for the NSF is to enable childbearing women, children and young people to develop healthy lifestyles. The NSF will set national standards of care to cover pre conception, antenatal and intra partum services.

Social Services

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to direct resources towards under-performing social service authorities.

Jacqui Smith: Poor performance will not be rewarded with additional resources. In four of the 10 councils rated as zero where we do not believe they have the capacity to improve by themselves, we are providing external assistance from the performance fund.

Social Services

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to add an ethnicity element to the foster care adjustment in the children's personal social services formula grant.

Jacqui Smith: My right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government (Mr. Raynsford) launched a consultation on options for the reform of the local government finance system on 8 July. This included options on possible changes to the foster care adjustment in the children's personal social services formula grant. One of the options includes an ethnicity element. No decisions have yet been taken and we would welcome representation from all interested parties.

Laming Report

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons the Laming report has not been published; when and by what mechanism it will be published; and when he will respond to the report.

Jacqui Smith: Lord Laming continues to receive and to consider evidence, and intends to complete his report later this year. It will be published, following its receipt by the Secretaries of State for Health and the Home Department, and will be made widely available. We will respond to the report once its findings and recommendations has been considered.

Neonatal Intensive Care

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what his policy is on the co-ordination of neonatal intensive care with the paediatric surgical sub- specialisation of (a) cleft lip and palate, (b) ophthalmology and (c) otolaryngology;
	(2)  what his policy is on establishing a set of national care standards for neonatal intensive care;
	(3)  what his policy is on the recruitment, retention and career progression of neonatal intensive care nurses;
	(4)  what assessment he makes of the staffing levels for doctors and nurses in neonatal intensive care; and what plans he has to increase these;
	(5)  how the needs of sick or premature new-born infants are categorised in the NHS; and what changes he proposes to make to these;
	(6)  what assessment he has made of the availability of capacity to meet demand in neonatal intensive care;
	(7)  what his policy is on the co-ordination of neonatal intensive care with the paediatric sub-specialisation of (a) cardiology, (b) neurosurgery, (c) neurology, (d) nephrology, (e) radiology, (f) hepatology, (g) gastro- enterology, (h) endocrinology and (i) haematology;
	(8)  what arrangements he will make to build networks to facilitate and exchange information on research into neonatal intensive care;
	(9)  what assessment he makes of the impact of restrictions on hours of work for junior doctors on the provision of neonatal intensive care;
	(10)  what action he plans to make available statistics on types of treatment given and outcomes in neonatal intensive care other than mortality;
	(11)  what action he intends to take to improve the co-ordination between neonatal intensive care facilities and general maternity facilities in the NHS;
	(12)  what provisions are made in the NHS for parents of sick or premature new-born infants who require neonatal intensive care;
	(13)  what assessment he has made of the changes needed in the organisation of neonatal intensive care; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: A review has been undertaken of provision for neonatal services which addresses the issues raised by the hon. Member. I have received a report following the review. This is currently under active consideration. I expect to determine the next steps in this process shortly.

Care Home Beds

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of nursing and care home beds in Surrey which have closed since June 2001.

Jacqui Smith: The information is not available centrally.

Prescription Charges

Doug Naysmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what plans he has to review the list of medical conditions exempt from prescription charges;
	(2)  whether the list of medical conditions exempt from prescription charges has been reviewed since 1998.

David Lammy: The list of medical conditions conferring prescription charge exemption has not been reviewed since 1998 and we have no plans to do so. Our policy is to give priority to helping people who may have difficulty in paying charges, rather than extending the exemption arrangements to people with other medical conditions.

Young Disabled People

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action has been taken since 1997 to help remove barriers to young disabled people achieving an independent social life.

Jacqui Smith: The Government are committed to maximising support to disabled young people so that they have the same chance to succeed and participate in society as their non-disabled peers. As part of the Government's Quality Protects programme we have set national objectives to improve family support and inclusive sport and leisure services for disabled children and young people. We have earmarked £60 million over three years from the children's special grant—£15 million in 2001–02 and 2002–03 and £30 million in 2003–04. The 2001 national overview report of local authority's Quality Protects Management Action Plans shows that councils are improving services by providing more: family support; accessible after-school activities; supported access to leisure facilities; transport to facilities and specialist support workers. Through the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000, we have introduced direct payments for 16 and 17-year-old disabled young people. This will increase choice, flexibility and access to services of their choice.

Young Disabled People

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance he gives to disabled people who are moving into adulthood.

Jacqui Smith: In "Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21st Century", issued in 2001, the Government set a national objective to improve transition services for young disabled people as they enter adulthood and in particular to ensure continuity of care and support. We have taken action to improve services in a number of ways:
	Learning disability partnership boards have been asked to identify a member with lead responsibility for transition issues. Person-centred planning is being introduced for all young people moving from children's to adult's services by 2003.
	The new Connexions personal advisers will identify disabled young people in their area and will work with the school and other relevant agencies to draw up the transition plans.
	New guidance on improving multi-agency transition support for young disabled people leaving school has been included in the revised SEN Code of Practice.
	For disabled young people leaving care, the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 places a duty on councils to provide young people aged 16 and over in and leaving care with support.

Dermatology

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to fill vacant dermatology positions in the NHS; and what plans he has to increase the trainee posts in dermatology.

John Hutton: The national health service vacancy survey collects information on the number of posts, which trusts are actively trying to fill which have been vacant for three months or more. As at 31 March 2002 there were 20 posts (6.0 per cent. vacancy rate) that had been vacant for three months or more in dermatology.
	Increased vacancies are to be expected at a time when we are trying to dramatically increase the size of the work force. New investment enables NHS trusts to create new posts however there can be a delay in providing sufficient staff for all the posts. The number of consultants in dermatology increased from 343 in September 1999 to 387 in March 2002. This is an increase of 13 per cent.
	In the short-term we are looking to boost the number of doctors through measures such as increasing progression through training, improved recruitment and retention measures, recruiting internationally and promoting flexible retirement. In the longer term we are substantially increasing the number of doctors in training.
	As at 30 September 2001 there were 265 specialist registrars in dermatology in the NHS in England. These increases, together with existing specialist registrar training places are expected to result in a consultant expansion in dermatology of 47 per cent. by 2010.

Kosmed System

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the Kosmed system of treatment produced by Eumedic Ltd.;
	(2)  what plans he has to assess the Kosmed system of treatment produced by Eumedic Ltd.

Hazel Blears: holding answers 4 July 2002
	None.

Child Welfare

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) intends to commission into the cost savings which could be achieved for the NHS relating to effective measures to prevent the physical and emotional abuse of children;
	(2)  what recent assessment he has made of the mental health consequences and the costs to the NHS associated with mental health problems consequent upon the physical and emotional abuse of children.

Jacqui Smith: holding answers 8 July 2002
	No such research has been commissioned or is currently planned. Child and adolescent mental health services would be expected to assess the mental health problems of physically or emotionally abused children who are referred to them and to provide an appropriate service response.

Child Welfare

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement concerning his evaluation of the 24 CAMHS innovation projects.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 11 July 2002
	Each child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) innovation project is required to submit an annual report, receive annual monitoring visits and be individually evaluated. These individual evaluations are now approaching completion. The Department is working with YoungMinds on an overall evaluation of the programme and this overview report is due to be published in autumn 2002. This report will be launched at a national conference as part of the overall dissemination plan for the CAMHS innovation programme.

Looked-after Children

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 23 April 2002, Official Report, column 240W, on looked-after children, if he will set out his definition of (a) children in care and (b) children looked-after; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 8 July 2002
	Children in care are those who are being looked after by the local authority as the result of a care order made by the court under section 31 of the Children Act 1989.
	Children looked after is a term used to include both those children defined in (a), and those provided with care by a local authority and placed in accommodation under section 20 of the Children Act (voluntarily accommodated).

Looked-after Children

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children have looked-after children status in (a) the Isle of Sheppey, (b) Kent and (c) England.

Jacqui Smith: At 31 March 2001 there were 58,900 looked-after children in England, and 1,770 in Kent. These figures exclude children who were accommodated under an agreed series of short-term placements.
	Figures for the Isle of Sheppey are not available.

Looked-after Children

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 8 February 2002, Official Report, column 1229W, on examination results (children in care), how many of those children who obtained (a) no GCSEs and (b) fewer than five GCSE passes at grade A to C went on to take resits.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 8 July 2002
	The Department's data on the educational qualifications of looked-after children does not separately identify those children who re-sat GCSE examinations.

Working Minds

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has evaluated the Working Minds programme.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 8 July 2002
	An evaluation of the 'mind out for mental health' campaign, including the Working Minds programme, has been undertaken by an independent research company. We are currently considering the findings of this evaluation. A summary of the results has been shared with campaign partners and stakeholders.

High Secure Hospitals

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have moved from high secure hospitals to more appropriate accommodation since 1 April 2001.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 8 July 2002
	238 patients considered to no longer require care and treatment in the high security hospitals have moved to more appropriate settings since 1 April 2001. This includes patients moving to other national health service or private hospital facilities, returning to prison or being discharged into the community.

Mycobacterium Bovis

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of mycobacterium bovis were found in humans in the United Kingdom in (a) 2000 and (b) 2001.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 9 July 2002
	Information provided by the Public Health Laboratory Service show the number of cases of mycobacterium bovis (bovine TB) in humans for 2000 was 28. Data for 2001 are still being collected.

Acute Capacity

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the funding given to the NHS in 2002–03 to expand acute capacity was used to pay for the consequential costs in social care.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 10 July 2002
	In 2002–03, health authorities received an average increase of 9.9 per cent. in their unified allocations. From this growth in funding it is for local organisations to decide how much to invest in the consequential costs in social care depending on local circumstances.

Henoch Schonlein Purpura

Keith Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children broken down by age, have been diagnosed with Henoch Schonlein Purpura in each of the last 10 years.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 11 July 2002
	The information requested is not collected centrally.

Care Homes

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the questionnaire that is being sent to residents in care homes as part of the annual residents' report by the NCSC; and if he will make a statement on the cost of the questionnaire.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 11 July 2002
	The National Care Standards Commission is consulting service users and representative organisations as part of its inspection process.
	This is a considerable challenge to a new organisation, given the wide range of service users receiving care in care homes.
	Service user feedback is essential to ensure that the Commission's approach is right and a range of survey material will be produced to meet different needs. One of the approaches currently being used is a simple feedback card with six 'tick box' questions. This is based on similar cards used in the past, although it is subject to review and change.
	The pre-paid method of returning these cards is currently being costed.

Local Government Finance

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what ring-fenced grants were made available to local authorities in financial year 2001–02.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 11 July 2002
	The table shows what ring-fenced grants were made available to local authorities by the Department in the financial year 2001–02.
	
		
			 Grant £000 
		
		
			 AIDS Support Grant 16,500 
			 Drugs and Alcohol Specific Grant 8,850 
			 Mental Health Grant 149,443 
			 Training Support Programme 47,500 
			 Children's Services Grant 291,750 
			 Secure Accommodation Grant 6,228 
			 Promoting Independence Grant 296,000 
			 Carers' Grant 70,000 
			 Care Direct Grant 2,000 
			 Deferred Payments Scheme 15,000 
			 Improving Information Management Grant 3,000 
			 Young People's Substance Misuse Planning Grant 4,500 
			 Building Care Capacity Grant 100,000 
			 Invest to Save Grant 1,330

Children's National Service Framework

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the timetable is for the mental health component of the children's national service framework; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 11 July 2002
	The acute care module of the children's national service framework (NSF) will be published later this year. A timetable has yet to be finalised for publication of the rest of the children's NSF.

Children's National Service Framework

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further meetings are planned in 2002 of the child and adolescent mental health working group of the children's national service framework.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 11 July 2002
	The next meeting of the child and adolescent mental health working group of the children's national service framework will be held on 11 and 12 September.

Mental Health

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many inmates in British prisons were suffering from (a) severe and (b) other mental illness on the latest date for which figures are available; and how many there were in each of the previous six years.

Jacqui Smith: This information is not available in the form requested.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mental health crisis resolution teams have all five required characteristics.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 11 July 2002
	The numbers and configuration of crisis resolution teams are being monitored by the mental health mapping project. Data from autumn 2001 have recently become available. Copies of a mental health mapping atlas, which contains this information, have been deposited in the Library.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mental health crisis resolution teams provide a 24 hour service; and what proportion they represent of the total number of each team.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 11 July 2002
	The numbers and configuration of crisis resolution teams are being monitored by the mental health mapping project. Data from autumn 2001 have recently become available. Copies of a mental health mapping atlas, which contains this information, have been deposited in the Library.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether (a) he and (b) his Ministers have met Ministers in the Department for Work and Pensions to discuss ways of helping those with mental health problems to find work.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 11 July 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 25 February 2002, Official Report, column 941W.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much extra money for child and adolescent mental health services is allocated for 2002–03 and each of the next three years.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 11 July 2002
	In 2002–03 we are investing a further £20 million in funding to local authorities via the child and adolescent mental health services mental health grant. This represents an increase of £5 million over the funding allocated in 2001–02. No decisions have been made on funding for the next three years.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent reports he has received concerning the involvement of churches in working with health and social services to promote mental health; and if he will make a statement as to his assessment of the effectiveness of such involvement.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 11 July 2002
	The Department has received no reports recently concerning involvement of churches in working with health and social services to promote mental health.
	I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave him on 13 November 2001, Official Report, column 679W, on the role of the church and mental health.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mental health assertive outreach teams have all seven required characteristics.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 11 July 2002
	The numbers and configuration of assertive outreach teams are being monitored by the mental health mapping project. Data from autumn 2001 have recently become available. Copies of a mental health mapping atlas, which contains this information, have been deposited in the Library.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many crisis resolution teams for mental health there are in (a) Worcestershire, (b) County Durham and (c) Darlington.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 11 July 2002
	There are currently no crisis resolution teams operating in Worcestershire, County Durham or Darlington.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of assertive outreach teams provide a 24 hour on-call service available to service users known to the team.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 11 July 2002
	The numbers and configuration of assertive outreach teams are being monitored by the mental health mapping project. Data from autumn 2001 have recently become available. Copies of a mental health mapping atlas, which contains this information, have been deposited in the Library.

Hospital Trust Boards

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what his policy is on the (a) minimum and (b) maximum age requirement for appointment as members of hospital trust boards;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the recommended retirement age for members of hospital trusts.

David Lammy: holding answers 12 July 2002
	There is no minimum or maximum age for chairs or non-executive members of national health service boards. Candidates are appointed on their merits, and their age is not taken into account.

Medical/Dental Education

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether undergraduate and postgraduate medical and dental education programmes in Scotland include infection control and anti-microbial prescribing.

Anne McGuire: holding answer 13 June 2002
	I have been asked to reply.
	Both the Government and the Scottish Executive want to see good training in this area. On 25 June this year, the Executive made available £100,000 to promote and enhance undergraduate teaching in Scottish Medical Schools of issues relating to anti-microbial resistance.

Child Care

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance is given to parents to help with child care costs.

Margaret Hodge: I have been asked to reply.
	Working parents, subject to the level of their income, may receive support through the child care tax credit element of the working families tax credit or the disabled person's tax credit for eligible child care costs. This offers help with up to 70 per cent. of costs up to £135 a week for one child or £200 a week for two or more children. Support is also available through various grants and access funds for parents studying further and higher education, for participants on the New Deals and those receiving job seekers allowance.
	Students in higher education in England may be entitled to the HE child care grant, which provides—during term time and short vacations—an 85 per cent. contribution towards the costs of 'approved' care up to a maximum of £135 per week for one child and £200 per week for two or more children. In the long vacation a 70 per cent. rate applies. Students in further education can apply to colleges for funding from a ring fenced national FE child care support fund of £30 million in 2001–02. £25 million was available in 2000–01.
	Lone parents participating in the New Deal for lone parents programme, can receive assistance with the costs of registered child care while attending job interviews, approved training or meetings with their personal adviser.

Child Care

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been allocated for the National Childcare Strategy; and what measures there are to monitor spending.

Margaret Hodge: I have been asked to reply.
	Since 1998, £498 million has been allocated to Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships (EYDCPs) under the NCS. The bulk of the funding is paid quarterly in arrears, based on claims submitted by the relevant local authorities for expenditure in line with their approved plans.
	Payments are offset against the funds allocated to each Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP) and expenditure is monitored against the relevant targets in their agreed plans.
	NCS questions for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland should be taken up with the appropriate assembly.

National Service Framework for Older People

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding has been made available to support (a) the National Service Framework for Older People and (b) the provision of chiropody services within the National Service Framework for Older People in the current financial year.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 12 July 2002
	By 2003–04, an extra £1.4 billion is being made available for the overall development of health and social services for older people, including resources to support the introduction of the national service framework for older people, which includes actions for the development of chiropody services.
	The Government are making the biggest ever investment in the history of the national health service. There will be an annual average increase of 7.5 per cent. above inflation over the next five years 2003–04 to 2007–08. This is now the largest ever sustained increase in NHS funding and older people—the biggest users of the NHS, will be among the principal beneficiaries.

Free Personal Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to evaluate the implementation of free personal care; and whether the views of self-funding residents will be sought.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 12 July 2002
	The decision to make personal care free was taken by the Scottish Executive, and the evaluation of that policy will be a matter for the Scottish Executive.

Mid-Essex Hospital Trust

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people (a) were waiting for in-patient treatment, (b) had been waiting for over 12 months for in-patient treatment and (c) had been waiting over 15 months for in-patient treatment, in the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust area in the last two months for which figures are available.

David Lammy: pursuant to his reply, 11 July 2002, c. 1208W
	I regret that my previous reply was incorrect. It should read:
	The latest available information on in-patients and day cases waiting for treatment at the Mid-Essex Hospital National Health Service Trust are shown in the table:
	
		
			   End of April 2002 End of May 2002 
		
		
			 For in-patient treatment and day case treatment 9,874 9,986 
			 Waiting over 12 months 269 232 
			 Waiting over 15 months 0 0 
		
	
	Source:
	DHSC monthly fast track figures